Navi Mumbai | September 5, 2026
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has begun repairing potholes and damaged road surfaces on routes used for Ganesh idol arrivals, immersion processions and other major festival movements ahead of Ganeshotsav, according to a report by Loksatta – Navi Mumbai.
The civic body is prioritising roads used to transport large idols, procession routes and key arterial roads. Repairs are being carried out after a city-wide inspection identified potholes, uneven surfaces and other road-related obstructions that could affect vehicle movement and public safety during the festival.
The current work includes filling potholes with mastic, geopolymer material or cold mix. The municipal corporation has said that permanent resurfacing and asphalt work will be undertaken after there is a sufficient break in the monsoon. Asphalt work during continuing rainfall can deteriorate quickly, which is why temporary repairs are being used at this stage.
Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde inspected the condition of roads during the previous week and instructed officials to undertake urgent repairs, the report said. Following the directions, the engineering department formed area-wise teams under the guidance of city engineer Shirish Ardawad. Executive engineers and other engineering officials conducted inspections within their respective jurisdictions as part of the road-patrolling exercise.
The inspections covered more than potholes. Officials also checked damaged road surfaces, uneven sections, the condition of stormwater drains and covers installed over underground utility services. The corporation is geo-tagging potholes identified during the inspections and carrying out repairs based on the reported defects.
The focus on festival routes follows the expected movement of large Ganesh idols and crowds during immersion processions. Potholes, sudden changes in road level and raised or damaged utility covers can create obstructions for vehicles carrying idols and for pedestrians accompanying processions. The corporation is therefore giving special attention to sensitive locations along arrival and immersion routes, as well as to the city’s main roads.
Alongside road repairs, the civic administration is preparing for sanitation, street lighting and facilities at immersion points during the festival period. These arrangements are intended to support movement and public use of roads and immersion locations while festival activity is under way.
The municipal corporation has appealed to residents to avoid creating unnecessary obstructions on roads during Ganeshotsav. Mayor Sujata Patil and Commissioner Shinde have also urged citizens to observe the festival in an environmentally friendly and plastic-free manner.
Permanent asphalt resurfacing at locations receiving temporary pothole repairs is scheduled to follow a pause in rainfall, while the civic engineering teams continue inspections and repairs across the identified routes.
