Thane civic body speeds up Navratri pandal permissions, 51 applications cleared after inspection

Thane Municipal Corporation TMC has expedited the process of granting permissions for public Navratri pandals ahead of the festival with 51 of the 311 applications received till Wednesday cleared after necessary inspectionsThe civic administration said the permission process is being carried out through both online and offline modes to make it easier for organisers and prevent inconvenience to devotees and citizens Of the applications received so far 103 were submitted online while 208 were filed offlineThe civic body is scrutinising the applications with a focus on ensuring that Navratri celebrations do not cause traffic congestion obstruct pedestrian movement or compromise fire safety during emergenciesOfficials are conducting site inspections and granting permissions to organisers whose pandals meet the prescribed safety criteria The civic administration said the remaining applications are being processed on a priority basisAccording to the ward committeewise status the Lokmanya NagarSavarkar Nagar area has received 49 applications of which 22 have been approved NaupadaKopri Naupada has received 26 applications with eight permissions granted while Kalwa has received 40 applications of which six have been approvedThe Uthalsar ward has received 28 applications with five permissions granted while MajiwadaManpada has received 62 applications of which four have been approved Vartak Nagar has received 34 applications with four permissions grantedKopri has received 18 applications with one permission granted while Diva has received 17 applications of which one has been approvedThe inspection process for the 21 applications received in Wagle and six applications received in Mumbra is currently underwayDeputy Municipal Commissioner Jitendra Nikam said the inspection and scrutiny of the remaining applications are being expedited and eligible organisers will be granted permissions at the earliestThe civic administration said the measures are aimed at ensuring that Navratri celebrations in Thane are conducted in an orderly and safe manner while minimising inconvenience to citizensThane traffic police announce restrictions from October 11 to 20Traffic restrictions will be imposed in parts of Thane from October 11 to 20 as large crowds are expected to visit the Durga Devi temple at Tembhi Naka during Navratri celebrationsThe restrictions will be in force daily from 4 pm to midnight around Bhawani Chowk and Tembhi Naka to manage the anticipated rush of devotees and prevent traffic congestion Thane Traffic Police saidDeputy Commissioner of Police Traffic Thane City Pankaj Shirsat said several diversions have been planned for vehicles approaching the area from Mumbai Navi Mumbai and Thane railway stationLuxury and private buses entering Thane from Mumbai or via the Mulund check naka will be diverted before reaching Bhaskar Cut Teen Hath Naka Cadbury Signal and Golden Dyes NakaThese vehicles will be diverted via the Express Highway Golden Dyes Naka Saket Cut Saket Road the new Kalwa Bridge and Kalwa NakaAll fourwheelers and goods vehicles along with luxury buses and private company buses entering Thane from Navi Mumbai via the Kalwa Bridge will not be allowed beyond Kika NakaSuch vehicles will have to take a right turn at Kika Naka and proceed via Saket Road and the Mahalakshmi Temple routeVehicles travelling from Thane railway station towards Civil Hospital via Tower Naka Dagdi Shala Chowk and Veer Savarkar Road towards Tembhi Naka will be stopped at Chintamani JewellersThe restriction will also apply to TMT and ST buses These vehicles will have to turn left at Tower Naka and proceed via Gadkari Circle Dagdi Shala Chowk Almeida Chowk and Nitin SignalPolice vehicles fire engines ambulances and other essentialservice vehicles will be exempt from the restrictionsThe traffic order has been issued under the Motor Vehicles Act