BMC awaits police and traffic clearances for 1,052 Ganesh pandal applications

Mumbai’s public Ganesh mandals are waiting on 1,052 applications that still need police or traffic clearance before Ganeshotsav begins on September 14.

The BMC has received 2,670 pandal-permission applications so far. It has approved 1,239 and identified 479 as duplicate applications. Police clearance is awaited for 545 applications, while 507 require approval from Mumbai Traffic Police. Civic officials expect permissions for eligible mandals to be cleared by the weekend.

Mayor Ritu Tawde reviewed immersion preparations on Thursday at Gateway of India, Girgaon Chowpatty, Lotus Jetty in Worli, the BMC sports building near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park in Dadar, Keluskar Road (North) and Sion Lake. She asked officials to keep procession routes clear and add artificial immersion ponds.

At Girgaon Chowpatty, Tawde sought more mobile toilets, drinking water and lifeguards. The BMC has directed smaller idols towards artificial ponds, as outlined in its immersion guidance for idols up to six feet. The 11-day festival is scheduled to run until September 25.