Mumbai :- The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti has secured a major concession for Ganesh Mandals, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis agreeing to waive the ₹2,000 fine imposed for digging potholes while setting up pandals.
The demand was raised during a Ganeshotsav review meeting held Thursday at the Sahyadri Guest House, chaired by CM Fadnavis and attended by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Guardian Minister Mangalprabhat Lodha, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam, DGP Rashmi Shukla, Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, and committee members.
The BMC had initially proposed a ₹15,000 penalty last year, later reducing it to ₹2,000 after opposition from the Samiti. Committee chairman Naresh Dahibawkar said the CM responded positively to the request for a second consecutive waiver.
The Samiti also sought other concessions, including permanent relaxation on restrictions for Plaster of Paris idols, waiver of the ₹1.25 lakh daily fire brigade fee for the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal, reinstatement of the Anant Chaturdashi public holiday, and tax assessments for mandals at office rather than commercial rates.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray slammed the government, saying Ganpati mandals should not pay pothole fines until those responsible for the Mumbai-Goa highway potholes are penalized. He dared the BMC to enforce the penalties, asserting, “Not a single rupee will be paid by mandals for potholes caused during celebrations.”
