" Sculptors coating resin manufacturers Factory find it difficult to make too many clay idols at a time, so the supply is not massive, he said. Clay also cracks easily, if it is not made properly, as buyers fear that. This year there must be over 40,000 eco-friendly idols," he said. An approximate number of over 15,000 clay idols have been sold this year. This claim stands contrary to the claims of Naresh Dahibavkar, president of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Samanvay Samiti, who said that the demand for clay idols has increased by close to 35 to 40 per cent this year.. Mr Khatu pointed out that POP idols are easier to make and are completed faster, due to which demand for them is greater.
There is certainly a rise in demand for clay idols at the household celebrations.Ramdas Tope, who sells idols at a stall in Dadar, also pointed out that not many families have opted for clay idols. Vijay Khatu, who heads the idol makers’ workshop at Parel, said, "There is not much demand for clay idols, especially among the community pandals.Even after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to go green this year and adopt eco-friendly clay idols instead of the plaster of Paris (POP) ones traditionally used in the Ganesh Festival, idol-makers have pointed out that the demand for clay idols has not increased exceptionally." Most clay idols that are sold are small in size and used in households. The oil paint used on POP idols also dries faster, so sculptors prefer it, as they can quickly move on to the next idol and sell more. "We are attempting to phase out the use of POP completely. He said, "We rarely keep them, as they are not sold. However, Mr Dahibavkar said with the increase in awareness about beach pollution and the environmental hazards of POP and oil paint, many small mandals as well as households have begun to opt for eco-friendly idols.