Smoothen all roads before Ganesh preparations: Ajoy Mehta

Municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta asked roads department engineers to ensure that all roads are intact before August 29, before Ganesh Mandals install idols. Most Ganesh Mandals bring idols in advance to decorate and also avoid traffic. However, given the city's road condition political leaders in the BMC have appealed to the civic body to smoothen the roads.

"If roads are undulated or pock-marked, the idols will get damaged. We have requested the municipal commissioner to take up this issue on an urgent basis and seriously," Manoj Kotak, BJP leader in the BMC, said.

Most mandals started bringing Ganesh idols from August 15. The big mandals have themes and aim to set up before August 30.

However, mandals with pandals on the road will have to seek a No Objection Certificate from the police and traffic department, said Naresh Dahibavkar of Ganeshotsav Coordination Committee.

He said that the issue would be discussed on Thursday with the mayor and representatives of agencies, including the traffic and police departments.