Tue Sep 02 13:00:21 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article:

**Summary:**

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has criticized the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) for environmental violations during the recent Vinayaka idol immersion at Pattinapakkam beach. The GCC failed to remove debris as ordered and allowed the immersion of non-eco-friendly idols, which violates environmental laws and court rulings. The NGT also questioned why immersion fees weren’t collected, as the money could have been used for clean-up efforts.

**News Article:**

**Chennai Corporation Slammed by NGT for Beach Pollution After Vinayaka Immersion**

**Chennai, India – September 2, 2025** – The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is facing harsh criticism from the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for failing to uphold environmental regulations during the recent Vinayaka idol immersion at Pattinapakkam beach.

The NGT, led by Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Prakash Gargava, stated that the GCC had violated environmental protection laws by allowing debris to remain on the beach beyond the August 29th deadline set by the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNCZMA). The bench highlighted the ecologically sensitive nature of Pattinapakkam beach and deemed the continued presence of waste a significant breach of regulations.

Beyond the failure to remove debris, the NGT also raised serious concerns about the immersion of Vinayaka idols themselves. The tribunal pointed out that the idols were reportedly immersed using a crane without verifying if they were made of eco-friendly materials, a requirement stipulated by previous rulings of the Madras High Court. The NGT emphasized the importance of using only environmentally safe idols to prevent harm to marine life and the coastal ecosystem.

The NGT also questioned the GCC’s decision not to collect fees from participants in the immersion. The tribunal suggested that these fees could be allocated to funding the clean-up of the statues after the immersion, ensuring a more responsible and sustainable practice.

The NGT is expected to issue further directives to the GCC regarding necessary corrective actions to address the environmental damage and prevent future violations. The case highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing religious traditions with environmental protection in India’s coastal cities.

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