Ganeshotsav 2012: Only 1,660 mandals obtain NoC

Although the statistics available with the Pune police show that there are more than 3,000 Ganesh mandals in the city, only 1,660 have obtained NOC from the traffic police to set up pandals.

As per records available at Special Branch, 3,397 Ganesh mandals had registered themselves with the Pune police till Tuesday evening.

Deputy commissioner of police (Special Branch) Rajendra Mane said, “This year, the number of mandals has increased by 131 compared to last year. Last year, there were a total of 3,266 mandals and this year, there are 3,397 mandals.”

He said, “We have asked all mandals registered with us to install CCTV cameras to protect the neighbouring areas of their pandals. We have also asked them to abide by the rules about sound pollution. The mandals would be able to use loudspeakers till midnight on the fifth, sixth and last day of the festival. On the remaining days, they can use them till 10 pm.”

However, deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Vishwas Pandhare said the traffic police had granted NOC to  only 1,660 mandals till Monday night.