Soon, Mumbai civic body will give online permission to erect Ganpati pandals

With only 17 days left for Ganeshotsav, the BMC did not specify by when the software would be ready.

To speed-up approval to Ganpati pandals online, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is in the process of developing a software, which will provide a single-window clearance from various authorities. With only 17 days left for Ganeshotsav, the BMC did not specify by when the software would be ready. However, mandals can download the application form from the BMC website.

There are over 11,000 pandals across the city.

“We are in process of developing software to clear this year’s application,” said Anand Waghralkar, deputy municipal commissioner (in charge).

Last month, the Ganpati pandals coordination committee in the city demanded that the BMC start the application process online. Currently, organisers have to visit ward offices to submit applications.

After a Bombay high court directive against structures encroaching roads, the BMC had drafted rules for pandals in 2015, keeping in mind the welfare of pedestrians.

As per the policy, the BMC made it compulsory for all mandals to get approvals from the police, traffic and fire departments. To improve the approval rate, the BMC had introduced a single-window clearance in city’s 24 wards.

There are over 11,000 pandals across the city, of them only 20% seek approvals to seeking to erect pandals.

The policy also requires organisers to submit a location map, a sketch of the pandal and its measurement. Organisers must display route maps near pandals to help pedestrians and motorists.