Ganeshotsav 2023: BMC Approves 1255 Public Mandals Applications, Asks Devotees To Follow Rules

More than 2,000 applications from Sarvajanik (public) Ganeshotsav mandals in the city have been submitted to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). As of August 31, 1,255 of the applications had been approved and 248 had been rejected for a variety of reasons. The festival will be celebrated from September 19 to 28.

Beginning on August 1, the civic body had started to receive online requests for the construction of Ganpati Pandals along city streets. The implementation of a one-window system enables the Ganeshotsav mandals to request pandal authorization without separately visiting the police, traffic police, and fire department. On the BMC website, pandal authorization requests may be made until September 13 at 5 pm. The permission will be given without charge, however, a security deposit of INR 1,000 is necessary.

"Around 248 applications were rejected for reasons like there are applications by two mandals for erecting a pandal at the same location or the traffic police refuse to issue a no objection certificate," said a civic official.

It becomes dangerous to carry idols on uneven roadways, according to Naresh Dahibavkar, head of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS). He said, "The BMC has been asked to fill in the potholes and resurface the roadways. Additionally, we have requested that the civic organization clip the tree branches so that the larger idols can be transported securely."

On August 28, BMC stated that they will be filling all the potholes across the city before the Ganeshotsav starts in September. Before the celebration starts, the local wards have been asked by the municipal commissioner to patch up the roadways. According to BMC's latest release, "The arrival and immersion routes of Ganpati idols should be immediately cleared of potholes."

BMC has cautioned devotees as well as the management of Ganesh mandals, of 13 aging rail overbridges because they are in a perilous condition. All of the following bridges are situated between Dadar and CSMT in south Mumbai, with the exception of the Ghatkopar railway overbridge (ROB) in the eastern suburbs.

Of the total number of bridges, the Central Railways are in charge of the ROBs at Curry Road, Arthur Road, Chinchpokli, and Byculla; the Western Railways are in charge of the ROBs at Marine Lines, Sandhurst Road, French Railway, Kennedy ROB, Falkland ROB, Belassis Bridge, Mahalaxmi ROB, Prabhadevi ROB, and Lokmanya Tilak ROB.Civic officials stated that a maximum weight of 16 tonnes would be allowed on these bridges and that they have advised residents not to clog the ROBs.Additionally, according to BMC representatives, entry of large vehicles, including as trucks and matadors, will be prohibited on certain bridges throughout the festival.Last year, 2,284 Ganeshotsav mandals were sanctioned by the BMC. In Mumbai, there are 12,000 sarvajanik idols and 2 lakh household Ganpati idols.Ahead of the big festival, the GSB Seva Mandal took an insurance cover of INR 360.40 crores. 

The devotees will be able to observe Chandrayaan 3 theme, havans for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, jewelry adorning the Lord Ganesha, facial recognition for increased security, and more at the GSB Seva Mandal's Ganpati at King Circle.

The mandal, the structure, the volunteers, the jewelry the Lord wears, and personal injury coverage are all covered by the insurance.