After the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal in Parel announced a 50-foot-high pandal, equal to the height of a four-storey building, civic activist Kamlakar Shenoy has asked the pandal trust to disclose details of the fire safety and traffic clearances for the enclosure to be made public.
The mandal, which is celebrating its 92nd year, started the year's celebrations with the 'Ganesh Muhurt Puja' on June 14.
Workers preparing pandal for the Lalbaugcha Raja ahead of the Ganpati festival in Mumbai | FPJ/ Salman Ansari
The Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has started constructing a massive enclosure to house the deity. The Ambani family of Reliance Industries are associated with the pandal like in the past. Ganeshotsav will be celebrated from Wednesday, August 27, to Anant Chaturdashi on Saturday, September 6, 2025. Over a million devotees visited the pandal in 2024.
Workers preparing pandal for the Lalbaugcha Raja ahead of the Ganpati festival in Mumbai | FPJ/ Salman Ansari
This year, the pandal, the cooling equipment for the enclosures, and the internal and external decorations are sponsored by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman, Mukesh Ambani. Shenoy said that the mandal should inform devotees whether they have received safety clearances from the fire brigade and the traffic police.
On Tuesday, Shenoy said on micro blogging site 'X' : This time 50 ft height Ganpati pandal and full AC for Lalbaug cha RAJA. 10 days 24 hrs Bhandara. approximately 30 lakhs of laddu will be distributed in 10 days. @CPMumbaiPolice @fssaiindia @MTPHereToHelp provide study & impact on environment, traffic etc. @mybmc. Permission from @firebrigadeofMumbai @MumbaiPolice @MTPHereToHelp @fssaiindia @DEFCCOfficial
@NoisePoll and all other regulatory authorities shall be disclosed in public domain. @DGPMaharashtra @myBESTBus @My best electric.
The mandal did not respond to messages and calls for a comment. Shenoy said, "There will be a huge rush of pilgrims. The mandal should ensure that there is no stampede. They should put all the safety permissions in the public domain."
What needs to put in public domain
NOC from local police for law and order and preventing overcrowding
NOC from Fire brigade for safety to avoid deaths in case of fire or accident
NOC from traffic police for not hindering pedestrian and motorist movement
NOC from all authority for structural stability of the 50 feet idol
NOC from FSSAI for 30 lacs laddos to be distributed
NOC from environment department for the consequences of lighting, sound, and crowds
Assurance about structural stability of 50 feet structure along with material used to prepare it and its effect on environment
