Ganesh mandals in Mumbai fight it out to secure permissions | Mumbai news - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Ganesh mandals in Mumbai fight it out to secure permissions

Hindustan Times | ByAkash Sakaria, Mumbai
Aug 02, 2017 12:09 AM IST

Over the past few years, police have been enforcing noise pollution regulations and ensuring that loudspeakers are not played after 10pm

As Ganeshotsav inches closer, Ganesh mandals across Mumbai are finding it difficult to secure permissions to celebrate the festivals in and around silence zones. A few of the mandals complained they were struggling to get permission to play loudspeakers and erect pandals in silence zones.

Mandals say Ganeshotsav]is a festival and a not prayer meeting, and there can’t be rules and regulations for everything.(File photo)
Mandals say Ganeshotsav]is a festival and a not prayer meeting, and there can’t be rules and regulations for everything.(File photo)

“We have been facing problems to get consent from the authorities because our area now has a school, which was built recently. We have been celebrating the festival for the past 55 years and never encountered any problems until now. Suddenly we are struggling to secure permissions,” said Rajesh Samel, secretary, Parksite Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Vikhroli.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

He said the mandal approached the umbrella body of Ganesh mandals to intervene and speak to local corporator to help them secure permissions.

The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), the umbrella body, had asked mandals to urge MPs and MLAs of the constituencies to push the Centre to abolish silence zones.

Over the past few years, police have been enforcing noise pollution regulations and ensuring that loudspeakers are not played after 10pm.

Members of a Goregaon mandal said they too were facing issues in getting permission owing to the maternity home in the vicinity. They also claimed the area where they want to construct pandal does not fall in the silence zone.

“It (maternity home) is way beyond 100 metres. I don’t know what the noise is all about. We are ready to obey all the rules yet we find obstacles at every step. You have to celebrate festivals. It [Ganeshotsav] is a festival and not prayer meeting. There can’t be rules and regulations for everything,” said Sambhaji Khairnar, mandal treasurer.

A few mandals skipped the aagman sohola (arrival ceremony) to pay homage to the late idol maker Vijay Khatu, who passed away last week. “Festival should not stop, no matter what. But for the man who made our idols immortal, the least we could do was to bring bappa quietly and spare a minute’s silence in his remembrance,” said secretary of a famous mandal in south Mumbai.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On