Toll Exemption for Ganesha Devotees During Ganeshotsav This Year – Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Appeal to Celebrate an Environment-Friendly Ganeshotsav in the State Increase in Artificial Lakes Urged

Potholes on Ganpati arrival and immersion routes should be filled immediately.

Mumbai : Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has called for an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav celebration across the state. He emphasized the immediate need to fill potholes on all Ganesha arrival and immersion routes before the festival. Additionally, he recommended the pruning of tree branches and an increase in the number of artificial lakes for idol immersion. The Chief Minister announced a toll waiver for Ganesha devotees traveling to their villages for Ganeshotsav and directed that health teams, ambulances, and fire engines be deployed at large public Ganeshotsav mandals.

A meeting was held at Sahyadri Guest House to review law and order and discuss environment-friendly Ganeshotsav celebrations. Attendees included Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Mumbai City Guardian Minister Deepak Keskar, Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Chairman Siddhesh Kadam, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. I.S. Chahal, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikas Kharge, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Chief Secretary of the Public Works Department Manisha Mhaiskar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Power Department Abha Shukla, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, and Principal Secretary of the Environment Department Pravin Darade. Divisional Commissioners, Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, and Police Commissioners also participated via video conference.

Chief Minister Shinde stressed that the administration should prioritize urgent works in preparation for Ganeshotsav. Public Ganesha mandals permitted last year will continue this year without any charges. A one-window system should be implemented for other necessary permissions. Tree branches obstructing Ganesha arrival and immersion processions should be pruned immediately. Modern technology should be used for filling potholes, and strict action will be taken against officials who fail to address these issues.

The Chief Minister instructed Municipal Commissioners and Collectors to use modern materials, such as Rapid Quick Setting Hardener-M Sixty, to fill potholes on Ganpati arrival and immersion routes in all major cities. He also emphasized the importance of deploying health teams, ambulances, and fire engines at large public Ganesha mandals, and directed that no fees be charged for fire-fighting vehicles stationed at these sites. He urged cooperation from mandals to ensure an environment-friendly Ganeshotsav, and encouraged Municipal Corporations to increase the number of artificial lakes for idol immersion. He also highlighted a recycling initiative by a Pune-based organization that reuses discarded Shadu clay idols and appealed to all municipalities in the state to adopt this practice.

The Chief Minister also called on all Divisional Commissioners, Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, Police Chiefs, and representatives of various Ganesha mandals to support the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign. Naresh Dahibavkar, Chairman of the Public Ganeshotsav Coordination Committee, along with representatives from the Public Ganeshotsav Federation, Public Ganeshotsav Collective, idol makers, and Sham Shendkar of the Eco-Friendly Decoration Festival Organization, were also present at the meeting.