RWAs favour clay idols, high prices dampen festive spirits

HYDERABAD: Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), gated communities and group housings in the city are bustling with hectic activity. Residents are busy with instaling pandals, buying and transportation of the clay Ganesh idols.
Meanwhile, the United Federation of RWAs (Uferwas), an apex body of RWAs in Greater Hyderabad, joined hands with GHMC, HMDA, and TSPCB, and distributed 40,000 (eight inch) clay idols free of cost among residents of the colonies.

Uferwas general secretary BT Srinivasan said they’ll continue distribution in the colonies on Sunday also. On immersion of idols, Srinivasan said, “Soon after the GHMC announced 74 artificial baby ponds across the city for immersion, we shared the information with all 4,000 plus RWAs in the city through social media platforms. We also asked the RWAs to take all clay idols either to the baby ponds or nearby water bodies for immersion.”
On the other hand, RWAs who ordered clay idols, are transporting them from the workshops to their colonies. Many expressed dismay over rise in cost of clay idols this year. “This year, the clay idols cost a bomb. Idol makers are citing clay material shortage due to brimming water bodies caused by heavy rains as a reason for price rise. Every year, we used to instal a 10-ft clay idol on our premises, but this year, the cost has been increased to 20 to 30 percent more than the last year. Last year, I spent 20,000 for the idol, now, the cost has been increased up to 30,000. So, we preferred a five-ft idol, and spent 15,000,” Sriharinath, a RWA member of Secunderabad, told TOI.
Meanwhile, idol sellers are showcasing both clay and Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols at key areas of the city and have occupied footpaths and parking areas of the metro stations. However, they are upset over the response from customers so far.
“Last year, I sold 3 lakh worth of idols of both clay and PoP. This year, the prices of the idols (3 ft, 5 ft and 6 ft) shot up 20 percent because clay suppliers increased prices of materials. Till now, I have sold idols worth 1 lakh. There is lukewarm response from the customers,” said Prashant Patil, an idol vendor at Ameerpet, who has been selling idols for the past five years.