Ganpati groups fret as Bombay High Court order narrows scope for pandals

Narrow bylanes in Khetwadi in Girgaum have made it challenging for Ganpati mandals to follow the Bombay High Court (HC) order mandating enough space for ambulances and fire brigades to pass by pandal installations. The Ganpati associations are claiming that online registration has turned as tedious as the real-world process and the authorities are withholding permissions after shifting responsibility.

There are some 31 mandals in Khetwadi area that have come together to raise their voice about the issue. The mandals have said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the police officials are not giving them the permit for the same reason they cited last year. They say that they are ready to suggest alternative ways for emergency vehicles to pass by without being stuck.

According to the local residents, if a 10-foot space is given for emergency services vehicles to pass, there will hardly be any space to install pandals.

Nilesh Shridhankar, member of a mandal from 8th lane Khetwadi, said, "We are not getting space to erect the pandals. We have given some suggestions. We are ready to keep the back road and main road free in Khetwadi for emergency vehicles. We will take precautionary measures. But we can't compromise on the size of pandals."

The locals met MNS chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the issue. "For the last two years, we did not get permissions, due to which they are denying it this year as well. We are giving them alternate solution but they are not ready to understand," said, Anil Kamble, member of a mandal at 10th lane, Khetwadi.

Hitesh Jadhav, another 10th lane resident, said, "The e-permission process started from July 15 but the server is down most of the time. The authorities pas the buck over not giving permissions."

SPACE PROBLEM

• Residents from other areas like Kamathipura, Kumbharwada and Grant Road, who instal pandals in narrow lanes, are facing a similar problem 
   
• As a result, 20 new mandals joined the Khetwadi groups to speak up over the issue