The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has intensified preparations for Ganeshotsav 2026, directing officials to strengthen safety, cleanliness and immersion facilities across Mumbai, including free crane services for large idols at designated locations.
Additional Municipal Commissioner for the Eastern Suburbs Dr Avinash Dhakne inspected immersion sites in Mumbai City, the western suburbs and the eastern suburbs on Sunday, according to a BMC statement reported by Mid-Day. The review covered arrangements for devotees, civic staff and the movement and immersion of Ganesh idols.
At Chowpatty Swarajyabhoomi and Dadar, Dhakne reviewed facilities and safety measures at the immersion points. Officials were instructed to ensure that observation towers, rafts, nirmalya collection pots and other required facilities remain operational throughout the festival. Steel plates installed along procession routes were also inspected to ensure that Ganesh mandals can move idols without obstruction.
Dhakne directed officials to take additional care during the immersion process and ensure that it is conducted safely and smoothly. The BMC has also asked its teams to provide essential civic services so that devotees and workers do not face inconvenience at the sites.
At Juhu beach, officials were told to take steps to maintain cleanliness during the festival. Dhakne also stressed the need to increase the number of artificial immersion ponds for smaller Ganesh idols. These facilities are intended to provide devotees with additional immersion points and support environmentally friendly celebrations.
The civic official separately inspected arrangements at Powai Lake, including the Ganesh Ghat and Pawarwadi Ghat. He directed officials to provide free crane facilities for the immersion of large idols at these locations. Adequate lighting was also ordered at immersion sites to improve safety for devotees and workers.
The BMC plans to increase the number of nirmalya collection pots at immersion locations. Devotees will be encouraged to place flowers and other religious offerings in the designated containers instead of disposing of them around the immersion areas. The civic body said awareness campaigns and public appeals would be used to support the collection and proper disposal of nirmalya.
Free crane services are already provided by the BMC at designated idol immersion sites. Dhakne directed officials to inform sarvajanik Ganesh mandals about the facility and encourage them to use it during immersion. Officials have been instructed to implement the arrangements effectively as the city prepares for the festival.
