Thane Municipal Corporation has approved mandap construction permissions for only 80 of the 282 Ganesh mandals that have submitted applications, leaving 202 applications pending just four days before Ganeshotsav, according to ward-wise figures reported by Loksatta – Thane. The delay has led to dissatisfaction among mandals, with some reportedly beginning construction based on the dimensions allowed in earlier permissions.
The civic administration had made both online and offline application facilities available this year so that Ganesh mandals could obtain permissions before setting up temporary festival structures. Of the 282 applications received, 145 were submitted online and 137 were filed offline. The report said that permissions had been issued to a comparatively small number of applicants by September 10.
Permission from the municipal corporation and other relevant agencies is required before a mandap can be erected. The pending applications have become a concern because the festival is due to begin within four days. While some mandals are awaiting formal approval, others have reportedly started installing mandaps, and some structures have already been erected.
The Majiwada-Manpada ward committee recorded the largest backlog in the figures cited by the report. Of the 55 applications received in the area, four mandals had received permission, while 50 applications were shown as pending. In Vartaknagar, eight of 42 applications had been approved and 34 remained pending.
In the Lokmanya Nagar-Savarkar Nagar area, 13 of 36 applications had received permission, leaving 23 pending. Kalwa had approved 17 of 38 applications, with 21 still awaiting clearance. The Wagle ward committee had issued 15 permissions from 31 applications, while 16 remained pending.
The Naupada-Kopri ward committee received 18 applications and approved four, leaving 14 pending. In Uthalsar, seven of 23 applications had been approved and 16 were pending. Mumbra had received nine applications, of which three had been approved and six remained pending. Diva recorded two approvals from 17 applications, leaving 15 pending.
The figures indicate that the delay is spread across multiple ward committees rather than being limited to one locality. The pending permissions also place mandals in a difficult position because construction before formal clearance may create uncertainty over compliance with municipal and other agency requirements.
The report did not cite a revised deadline from the Thane Municipal Corporation for clearing the pending applications. Formal permissions from the civic administration and concerned agencies remain the next required step for the mandals awaiting approval.
