The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has strengthened safety, sanitation and environmental arrangements for Ganesh idol immersions at Girgaon’s Swarajyabhoomi Chowpatty and Dadar, with BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide directing officials to deploy trained lifeguards, improve civic facilities and prepare for varying crowd levels.
Bhide inspected both immersion sites on September 16 and reviewed arrangements for devotees, Ganesh mandals and other citizens during Ganeshotsav 2026, according to an official statement reported by Mid-Day. The inspection covered water safety, access facilities, cleanliness and coordination between the civic departments and agencies involved in the immersion process.
During the review, Bhide directed officials to ensure that observation towers, rafts, nirmalya collection bins and steel plates placed along the immersion routes remained in good condition. Officials were also asked to provide an adequate number of rafts at each site according to crowd levels and operational requirements.
The BMC has been instructed to maintain sufficient lighting and drinking water facilities for devotees. Bhide also directed the civic administration to deploy an adequate number of trained lifeguards to support water safety during immersions. Separate mobile toilets for men and women were ordered at the sites so that visitors do not face inconvenience during the festival period.
The arrangements also include measures to manage the environmental impact of immersion activity along Mumbai’s beaches. Bhide directed officials to keep Girgaon and Dadar beaches clean and free of waste throughout the festival. The BMC will increase the number of artificial ponds for smaller Ganesh idols, while devotees bringing larger idols will be provided free crane facilities to assist with immersion.
The civic body will also intensify public awareness efforts asking citizens to deposit nirmalya, including flowers and other offerings, in designated collection bins rather than discarding it in the sea or surrounding areas. Bhide directed officials and staff from the concerned departments to receive training for processing collected nirmalya into compost.
The BMC said the wider arrangements are intended to provide prompt civic services, ensure safe and orderly immersions and encourage environmentally friendly practices during Ganeshotsav 2026. The commissioner instructed all concerned departments to coordinate closely and ensure that citizens do not face inconvenience during the immersion period, while keeping safety as the top priority.
The inspection was attended by Deputy Municipal Commissioners Prashant Gaikwad, Chanda Jadhav and Prashant Sapkale, who is also the Ganeshotsav coordinator. D Ward Assistant Commissioner Santosh Salunkhe, G North Ward Assistant Commissioner Yogesh Desai and other civic officials were also present, the statement said.
