Mumbai, August 27: The Maharashtra government is ramping up preparations for the upcoming Ganesh Festival. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a meeting with representatives from various Ganesh mandals to discuss essential arrangements. The meeting addressed several critical issues, including the smooth organization of public celebrations across Maharashtra, permissions from various departments, and the logistics of the arrival and immersion process of Ganesh idols. Traffic management, road conditions, and safety measures were also key topics.
Suresh Bhikaji Sarnobat, Secretary of the Akhil Public Ganeshotsav Federation, shared insights from the meeting. He noted that for nearly 40 years, they have been connected with public Ganesh mandals in Maharashtra. The federation, established with the support of Aashish Shelar, raises issues concerning approximately 45,000 Ganesh mandals in the state.
Sarnobat emphasized the need for better coordination between public Ganesh mandals and the administration. It is crucial for the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, police, and traffic authorities to maintain effective communication to avoid any disruptions during the festival. A one-window system was proposed to streamline the process for mandals to obtain necessary permits for organizing events, idol arrivals, and immersion parades. This system aims to reduce the hassle of navigating through various departments, allowing mandals to complete their preparations on time.
Officials present at the meeting included Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and various district and municipal officials from Maharashtra. They provided necessary guidelines to district-level officers and the relevant administrative framework regarding Ganesh Festival preparations.
Traffic and road issues faced by devotees traveling to Konkan were also discussed. A significant number of people travel from Mumbai and other areas to Konkan during the festival. Sarnobat mentioned that around 40,000 people use ST Corporation buses for this journey, with approximately 10,000 bus bookings noted.
The condition of roads leading to Goa was another topic raised during the meeting. Engineers from the Public Works Department were urged to address road issues promptly to ensure smooth transportation during the festival. Sarnobat highlighted that various pieces of information circulate rapidly on WhatsApp groups and social media platforms related to Ganesh mandals. The meeting stressed the importance of disseminating accurate and useful information through social media to avoid the spread of misleading or false information.
According to Sarnobat, Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that the public Ganesh Festival has been granted the status of a state festival in Maharashtra, and it is everyone’s responsibility to uphold this honor. He urged Ganesh mandals and citizens to celebrate the festival with enthusiasm, discipline, and responsibility.
A recent tragic incident involving the ‘Raja’ public Ganesh mandal in Bhuleshwar was also discussed. Reports indicated that two individuals lost their lives during the event. Concerns were raised regarding the height of the idol and the precautions taken during its transportation. Sarnobat mentioned that the police report on the actual causes of the incident has not yet been released. He speculated that the incident may have occurred due to issues during the idol’s entry and potholes on the road, but confirmation will come after an investigation. This incident serves as a reminder for all Ganesh mandals to ensure adequate safety measures during the transportation of large idols.
Leave a Comment