(By Sapna Desai Mumbai Samachar Desk)
Mumbai: Ganeshotsav is drawing close, and most of Mumbai’s Ganesh mandals have already begun bringing home their idols. But potholes on the city’s roads have deepened the mandals’ worries. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation had assured that roads along the Ganesh arrival and immersion routes would be made pothole-free, but that assurance has largely stayed on paper — nearly 4,217 pothole complaints were registered in the month of August alone. Adding to the concern, rains have returned to Mumbai just as Ganeshotsav approaches, raising the likelihood of more potholes forming. Given the sheer number of potholes on the roads, the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti is worried about a repeat of the tragedy that struck in Bhuleshwar.
Fears of a Repeat Tragedy
After a 22-foot Ganesh idol collapsed in Bhuleshwar, killing two people, concerns over the condition of roads along the idol arrival and immersion routes have weighed heavily on Ganesh mandals. The Corporation claims it has begun filling potholes on the roads, but suburban Ganesh mandals have complained to the Samanvay Samiti that a large number of potholes still remain on most roads in the Mumbai suburbs, more so than in Mumbai city. Most mandals across Mumbai have already brought their large idols to their pandals, while some mandals are set to bring their Ganesh idols on Sunday, August 29. Pothole-ridden roads from the workshops, vehicles parked indiscriminately, speed breakers, and encroachments on roads have made it extremely difficult for mandals to safely transport large idols through narrow streets to their pandals.
4,217 Complaints in August, Say Civic Records
According to Corporation figures, 4,217 pothole complaints were received in the month of August, and most of these potholes have since been filled. However, according to the Ganesh mandals’ claims, a large number of potholes still remain on the roads. Adding to this, with the weather department forecasting the return of rain, the possibility of more potholes forming in the coming days looms large. This has left Ganesh mandals worried that if potholes persisted on the roads when Vighnaharta arrived, and they continue to persist through the immersion as well, the difficulties will only mount further.
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Committee Chief Speaks to Mumbai Samachar
Advocate Naresh Dahibavkar, president of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, told Mumbai Samachar that the committee, too, is concerned that potholes on the roads should not lead to a tragedy like the one in Bhuleshwar. However, he noted that barring one or two cases, the Ganesh idols of most mandals across Mumbai have already reached their pandals. He said the committee had, ahead of Ganeshotsav itself, drawn the attention of both the Corporation and the Chief Minister to the issues of potholes on roads, hanging tree branches, and utility wires, and had received assurances in response. Even so, a large number of potholes remain on the roads, with the condition of roads in the suburbs worse compared to Mumbai city. On Saturday itself, mandals from areas including Ghatkopar, Bhandup and Kandivali raised concerns about road potholes before the committee. He added that while the arrival of Ganesh idols has already taken place on pothole-ridden roads, the committee has once again appealed to the Corporation to ensure that potholes on the roads are filled before the immersion.