Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde reviews BMC plans, 378 immersion sites and health services

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Tuesday chaired a review meeting at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC headquarters to assess civic preparations for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festivalThe meeting attended by representatives of various Ganesh mandals and civic officials focused on arrangements for public safety health services immersion facilities and civic infrastructure during the 10day festivalTawde said a new health initiative would be introduced at selected pandals while the civic body was also working on road repairs water supply arrangements and the preparation of immersion sites across MumbaiHealth checkups and breast cancer screening planned at pandalsTawde announced the launch of the Shree Ganesha Arogyacha initiative under which free health checkups and the distribution of eyeglasses will be organised for devoteesThe initiative will also include breast cancer screening for women at various pandals across the cityA review meeting was held at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters to celebrate this years Shri Ganeshotsav in a safe ecofriendly and healthconscious environment During the meeting the Shree Ganesha Arogyacha initiative was announced as per the vision of Honorable Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ji Under this free health checkups eyeglass distribution for Ganesh devotees and breast cancer screenings for women will be conducted in pandals The Ganesh mandals were urged to provide space for this purpose said TawdeThe BMC has requested Ganesh mandals to make space available for the proposed health servicesWomens facilities to remain open round the clockThe Mayor said instructions had been issued to ensure that facilities for women including restrooms and Hirakani rooms remain open 24 hours a day during the festivalThe arrangements are aimed at providing greater access to basic facilities for women attending pandals and travelling across the city during the celebrationsInstructions were given to keep Hirakni rooms and restrooms open for women 24 hours during the festival Works to fill potholes on procession and immersion routes remove cables and prune trees are underway at a fast pace Tawde saidShe added that the BMC was undertaking civic works along major procession and immersion routes ahead of the festivalBMC prepares 378 sites for Ganesh idol immersionMumbai is preparing 378 immersion sites for the festival including 44 seafront locations 23 natural water bodies and 281 artificial pondsAs per High Court directives idols measuring up to six feet must be immersed in artificial pondsThe BMC plans to make information about designated immersion sites available through QR codes and Google Maps to help devotees locate the facilities858 tons of shadu soil and 25400 litres of ecofriendly colors have been distributed free of cost to sculptors As per the High Courts directives immersion of idols up to 6 feet must be done in artificial ponds and in Mumbai 378 immersion sites 44 seafronts 23 natural and 281 artificial ponds are being prepared Information about immersion sites will be available via QR Code and Google Maps Tawde addedPothole repairs and other civic works underwaySpeaking to ANI after the meeting Tawde said representatives of several Ganesh mandals had participated in discussions on preparations ahead of the festivalShe said the meeting also reviewed road repairs water supply arrangements and preparations at beaches and other locations expected to see large gatherings during the celebrationsToday I convened a meeting at the Mumbai Municipal Corporation ahead of the Ganpati festival Heads of various Ganpati Mandals participated in this meeting Discussions were held regarding prefestival preparationssuch as repairing potholes water supply arrangements and beach preparations The Municipal Corporation has been working on these preparations for the past month Additionally potential changes based on suggestions received during todays meeting were also discussed said TawdeThe Mayor said civic preparations had been underway for the past month and that the BMC would consider suggestions received from mandal representativesGanesh Chaturthi celebrations to begin on September 14Ganesh Chaturthi a 10day festival marking the birth of Lord Ganesha will begin on September 14 this year with the installation of idolsThe celebrations will conclude with the immersion of idols on Anant ChaturdashiMumbai traditionally witnesses large public gatherings and processions during the festival making civic arrangements related to road conditions sanitation water supply public safety and immersion facilities a major focus for the municipal administrationWith inputs from ANI