Ganeshotsav 2025: Ganpati Mandals Oppose BMC’s ₹15,000 Pothole Fine; NCP Youth Wing Threatens Agitation, Seeks Rollback

Mumbai: The BMC’s decision to hike the penalty for potholes near Ganpati pandals from Rs 2,000 to Rs 15,000 has sparked controversy ahead of Ganeshotsav.

Religious Groups Demand Fair Treatment

The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), representing hundreds of mandals, has opposed the move, calling it excessive and unfair given the city's poor road conditions. A political party has now joined the protest, demanding the rollback of the decision and threatening agitations if the BMC fails to comply.

The BMC has been imposing fines on Ganeshotsav mandals for potholes found near their pandals after the festival, for several years. Until last year, the fine was Rs 2,000 per pothole. However, on July 21 this year, the BMC issued a notice increasing the fine to Rs 15,000 per pothole.

Mandals Burdened Despite State Festival Status

The decision came as a surprise to many mandals across the city, including the most well-known and well-funded ones. They had expected some relaxation, especially after the state government declared Ganeshotsav a state festival on July 10.

NCP Youth Wing Warns of Citywide Agitation

A delegation from the Youth Wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) met Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar at the BMC headquarters on Tuesday to raise concerns over the increased penalty on Ganpati mandals.

Adv. Amol Matele, Mumbai President of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) Youth Wing, said, “The roads are already riddled with potholes due to the BMC's negligence, yet no action is taken for that. Ganeshotsav is a religious, social, and cultural movement imposing punitive measures on it is unfair. If this penalty is not withdrawn, we will launch a strong protest along with all public Ganeshotsav mandals.”

Call for Civic Accountability and Road Repairs

The party’s other demands include quality repairs of potholes on all flyovers with punitive action against defaulting contractors, immediate cleaning of clogged drains, and the establishment of a maintenance committee with third-party inspections.

Naresh Dahibavkar, chairman of BSGSS said, "The hike will place unreasonable financial burden on organisers of the festival and leave them susceptible to penal action."

Civic Body Promises Dialogue, Possible Review

Meanwhile, a senior civic official said the matter will be discussed with Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, and a suitable solution will be worked out.