July 28, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvaya Samiti, the umbrella body representing Ganpati mandals across Mumbai, has appealed to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to revoke its recent hike in penalties for potholes near Ganpati pandals—from Rs 2,000 to Rs 15,000 per pothole.
According to The Hindustan Times, advocate Naresh Dahibawkar, chairman of the Samiti, expressed concern over the steep increase, calling it an unreasonable financial burden on festival organisers. “Such strict enforcement doesn’t even apply to contractors responsible for substandard roadworks. We intend to follow up with both the BMC and the state government to demand the cancellation of this fine,” Dahibawkar stated.
The BMC’s decision, implemented on July 21, mandates a Rs 15,000 fine for potholes found near Ganpati pandals after the festival. The move has drawn criticism from mandals who were instead anticipating support, especially after Ganeshotsav was officially declared a state festival on July 10 by the Maharashtra government.
Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar had announced the government’s decision, highlighting the significance of Ganeshotsav as more than just a celebration. “Ganeshotsav is a symbol of Maharashtra’s cultural pride and identity,” he said. The public celebration, or Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav, was first introduced by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1893, with the aim of promoting social unity, nationalism, and pride in local culture and language.
Festival organisers argue that the fine undermines the spirit of state support for a culturally significant event. As preparations intensify for the upcoming Ganesh festivities, the mandals are urging civic authorities to reconsider the punitive measure in favour of more cooperative governance.
Source: News 18
