PMC puts curbs on pandals, mandals

“PMC has decided it would give permission to mandals to set up pandals only if they get a no-objection certificate from the city police. The mandals will have to submit the clearance of traffic and local police while applying to erect pandals,” said a civic official.

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Earlier, PMC allowed use of one-third width of the road for erecting pandals. Now, it has been revised to one-fourth of the road to avoid traffic problems, he said.

Earlier, the civic body charged Rs 250 for digging of road to put poles. The amount has now been increased to Rs 2,000 per pole erection even as appeal is being made to mandals to not dig roads to erect pandals.

Mandals have been allowed to put up advertisement boards within 50 metres from their pandal. Earlier, there was no such curb. “If advertisements are not allowed, it might create problems for local residents raise funds for mandals. Therefore, they have been allowed, but with restrictions,” the civic official said.

According to the proposed policy, a mandal or organisation seeking permission to erect a pandal in a public place has to submit an affidavit stating that they would not violate any of the rules. The details of the permission given should be displayed at the pandal.

The draft policy, which was prepared by the PMC administration on the directions of the Bombay High Court, was earlier rejected by all political parties unanimously.

PMC has also appealed to mandals to create awareness on conservation of water and contribute towards drought relief fund by reducing their expenditure.

Earlier, now

* Earlier, PMC allowed use of one-third width of the road for erecting pandals. Now, it has been revised to one-fourth of the road to avoid traffic problems.
* Earlier, the civic body charged Rs 250 for digging of road to put poles. The amount has now been increased to Rs 2,000 per pole erection even as appeal is being made to mandals to not dig roads to erect pandals.
* Mandals have been allowed to put up advertisement boards within 50 metres from their pandal. Earlier, there was no such curb.