Online permission creates hurdle for Ganpati mandals in Mumbai

The online permission facility started by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to facilitate faster approval of Ganpati pandals has rather delayed the process. This comes after initial technical glitches while submitting the application.

Ganpati mandals complained that they had to wait to receive the status of their applications. Mahalaxmi Sarvajanik Ganpati Mandal in Mahim was shocked to know that their application was rejected on the basis of traffic department remark. According to the mandal, they are organising the festival for the last five years in the same place. There was no problem in the past.

"The traffic department has given permission after we met the concerned official and presented outside," said Pankaj Kanojia, a senior member of the mandal. However, he is not aware of the present status of their application. "This time, the online process has been started. So, we are not aware what is the exact process," said Kanojia, adding that we are waiting for approval after meeting traffic department official.

Around 29 Ganpati mandals in Dharavi, which have been celebrating the festival for many years, faced the problem while submitting the application. "There were two options in the online system, old and new. But Ganpati mandals celebrating for years struggled to submit the application with the old option," said Ganesh Gupta, a member of Mahim Mitras Mandal. He added that this was brought to the notice of the ward office and then the issue was sorted out.

According to the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), an umbrella body of Ganpati mandals in the city, online registration was initially opened only in 15 wards out of 24 wards. Later, it was available to other wards also after complaint.

The online registration has become a tedious process due to technical problems. Speaking about loopholes in the process, Narendra Dahibavkar, president of BSGSS, said, "After initial glitches, the permission has been granted. However, this looked a little tedious."

Narendra Barde, deputy municipal commissioner of Zone II and in charge of Ganpati festival, said, "There was problem at the beginning which was sorted out." He added that first-time various agencies have been brought at one online platform for faster approval.

ONLINE PROCESS BEGAN ON JULY 15

• To set up a pandal, permission of 3 authorities are needed — BMC, Mumbai Traffic Police, and Mumbai Police. Mandals can submit hard copy; permission will be given online
   
• For online registration on BMC site, a mandal needs Aadhaar card number, last year’s NOC of traffic police and Mumbai police
   
• This year, the BMC has decided to give permission only if mandal makes provision for ambulance and fire brigade to pass
   
• City Police and Traffic Police needs at least a week’s time for inspection
   
• Fire brigade has given 24 pointers to give permission
   
• Narendra Barde, DMC incharge of Ganpati festival:
   
• As per the HC order, Ganpati mandals have to leave space for pedestrians to get permission
   
• Narendra Dahibavkar, president, Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS): Mandals whose application has been rejected can submit application again