A week left for Ganesh festivities to begin, 854 mandals received BMC nod so far
2,829 applications received
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Last year, the BMC received 3,767 applications of which it granted permission to 2,729, or 72 per cent. In 2022, the BMC received 3,487 applications and approved 2,417. (Express Archives) With a week left for the commencement of Ganesh festival, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has so far granted permission to 854 Ganpati mandals in Mumbai to set up pandals this year.
This number represents about 30 per cent of the 2,829 applications received by the civic body so far. Meanwhile, the civic authorities are set to take a call on the status of the 2,000 applications that are pending approval, over the next 10 days.
Every year, organisers of sarvajanik mandals across the city seek approval from the BMC to establish pandals for the Ganesh festival.
Last year, the BMC received 3,767 applications of which it granted permission to 2,729, or 72 per cent. In 2022, the BMC received 3,487 applications and approved 2,417.
Civic officials attribute the increase in applications to the BMC’s streamlined single-window system, which simplifies the permission process. “Organisers no longer need to navigate multiple departments, which has heightened their enthusiasm and led to a rise in the number of applications,” an official explained.
This year, the BMC plans to deploy over 200 artificial lakes to ensure smooth immersion of idols, contributing to the increase in permit requests.
However, some applications have been rejected for reasons including duplicity and objections from traffic police, who may withhold a No Objection Certificate (NOC) if the pandals could cause traffic issues.
Naresh Dahibavkar, president of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, noted technical difficulties that have hindered the registration process.
“Despite the single-window system, organisers are facing issues such as server outages and problems with depositing application fees,” Dahibavkar said. This year, the 10-day long Ganeshotsav festivities will commence from September 7.
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