Ganesh mandals want traffic chaos-free roads, more toilets

Time of India

21-07-2025

Pune: Office bearers of several Ganesh mandals on Monday demanded that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and police ensure better traffic management, pothole-free roads, more toilets for women, and adequate safety measures for devotees during the 10-day Ganeshotsav next month.
Speaking at a joint meeting held at the civic headquarters, they welcomed govt's announcement to declare it a state festival and the allocation of funds. The representatives said there was no clarification on how much fund govt sanctioned for this year, but a share from the amount should be utilised for the welfare of mandal workers.
Former corporator Ravindra Malvadkar said, "There is no clarity if govt has allocated Rs100 crore or more for the festival.
The mandals should get financial assistance from this fund, and money should be spent on welfare schemes for the workers."
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More money should be utilised to provide toilets for women at various locations, said Pushkar Tuljapurkar of Nehru Tarun Mandal. "Cleaning and crowd management are big challenges authorities face every year. We want proper planning to address both issues to ensure better movement of devotees," Tuljapurkar said.
Sources from various Ganesh mandals said the festival is expected to be grand this year ahead of the civic polls, but there is no clarify if the mandals will be kept open and the loudspeakers will be allowed round the clock. "Political workers and ticket aspirants are looking to reach out to maximum voters during the festival," a mandal worker from Shukrawar Peth, who attended the meeting, said.
Citizens and representatives of various organisations demanded that the authorities restrict the use of speakers, Dolby and laser lights during the festival and immersion processions.
"These are troublesome. Awareness should be created among mandals in this regard," said Vilas Lele of Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat.
PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said the ongoing Metro and other works at Baba Bhide Bridge in the Deccan Gymkhana area will be completed by Aug 20, ahead of Ganeshotsav.
"A survey of all the areas will be held to improve the condition of roads, and steps will be taken to repair potholes and make provision for adequate streetlights. The Metro administration is planning to operate trains until 2am and at an increased frequency," Ram said, adding that the civic body will approach the district collector on the mandals' demand of keeping the liquor shops shut during the festival.
DCP Krushikesh Rawale said that a comprehensive plan will be finalised for traffic movement and crowd management to avoid rush and a stampede-like situation. "A meeting will be held with the mandals in the next few days," he said.