Repair potholes before Ganesh Chaturthi at least, mandals tell Mumbai civic body

The umbrella organisation of Ganesh mandals has asked all 10,800 mandals in the city to inspect potholes in their areas and submit a report by July 25; mandals will start getting idols from Aug 15.

The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), the umbrella organisation of Ganesh mandals, have asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to fill potholes on the road before Ganesh Chaturthi. This year, the festival begins on September 13.

This year, the mandals will start getting the idols from August 15. (HT Photo)

In a meeting last week with additional municipal commissioner Vijay Singhal, the organisation expressed its concerns over potholes that could hinder the transport of idols during the festival.

The Samiti has asked all 10,800 mandals in the city to inspect potholes in their areas and submit a report to them or to the nearest municipal ward office by July 25.

Following this, members of BSGSS plan to individually approach each ward office and ask them to take cognisance of the problem.

“We have been promised that potholes that lead to the pandals will be filled. Our concern is that most of the bigger Ganpati idols are taken from the town to the suburbs. Though one doesn’t see too many potholes in the southern part of the city, the suburbs are severely affected. We do not want any idol to be damaged,” said Naresh Dahibavkar, president, BSGSS.

Dahibavkar said the mandals have been asked to send the report in a specific format, which would include the name of the mandal, the route and name of the road, name of the ward it belongs to, the name of the applicant, and the position he or she holds in the mandal.

“This year, the mandals would start getting the idols from August 15. Last year, we came across lesser potholes in the city but in 2016, we had faced a similar problem. Our main concern is roads such as Andheri-Kurla road, which is riddled with potholes. Any damage to the idol there would be considered a bad omen by the devotees,” said Dahibavkar.

Hindustan Times tried to contact Singhal, but did not receive a response.