BMC Appeals To Mandals In K-W Ward To Implement 'One Ward One Ganpati' Concept

Mumbai has by far been the worst-hit city in India during the coronavirus pandemic. The total tally of COVID-19 cases in the city has reached 1,14,287 along with the death toll of 6,350. The impact of the pandemic has also affected Ganeshotsav, the most awaited festival of Mumbai. 

Over the past few weeks, there has been a continuous appeal from the Uddhav Thackeray-led state government to celebrate the festival in a simple manner, stay indoors and follow the lockdown rules. The state government and health administration are taking many precautionary steps to avoid any major crowd gathering.

In view of this, Vishwas Mote, the Assistant Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) K-West Ward, appealed to all the corporators and Ganpati mandals in the area to implement a ‘one ward one Ganpati’ concept. Areas including Vile Parle West, Andheri West, Juhu, Versova, Jogeshwari West and Oshiwara come under the K-West Ward in Mumbai. According to the data provided by the BMC, about 150 large Ganpati Mandals are established in the K- West Ward every year including the famous Andheri cha Raja. 

As per media reports, Mote has also said that the height of the Ganesh idols should not exceed four feet and sufficient number of artificial pools will be made in the K-W Ward for immersion of the idols. He has further assured to provide all kinds of facilities in the artificial ponds.

Currently, the K-West Ward ranks fourth out of the 24 city wards for recording the highest number of coronavirus cases. So far, 5,813 positive cases have been reported in this ward and 258 people have succumbed to the virus.

The 10-day festival of 'Ganesh Chaturthi' is set to begin from August 22. Due to the coronavirus crisis, many big mandals in Mumbai have decided not to publicly celebrate the festival this year since they draw thousands of worshippers each year. The most famous mandals of Lalbaug cha Raja and Chinchpokli cha Chintamani have also cancelled their mandals this year and instead decided to donate medical equipment to civic hospitals and set up plasma donation camps during the festival.