The Drugs-Free Mumbai campaign is set to become a major public awareness theme during this year’s Ganeshotsav celebrations, with Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha urging mandals to participate actively. He has called for themed pandals, tableaux, cultural programmes and anti-drug pledges to engage communities and young people. The initiative, being implemented under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was discussed at a coordination meeting with more than 70 mandals and representatives of civic, police, traffic, and emergency agencies.
Drugs-Free Mumbai Campaign to Take Centre Stage During Ganeshotsav, Says Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha
Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has urged Ganeshotsav mandals across the Malabar Hill Assembly constituency to promote the Drugs Free Mumbai campaign through festival decorations, cultural programmes, and public awareness initiatives while strengthening civic coordination.
The Drugs Free Mumbai campaign will become a key public awareness theme during this year’s Ganeshotsav celebrations in Mumbai, with Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha appealing to Ganeshotsav mandals to actively support the initiative. Speaking at a coordination meeting, Lodha said the festival’s widespread social reach provides an ideal platform for educating citizens, particularly young people, about the dangers of drug abuse. The initiative is being implemented under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Lodha encouraged every Ganeshotsav mandal in the Malabar Hill Assembly constituency to design pandals, tableaux, and cultural programmes around the Drugs Free Mumbai theme. He said public Ganeshotsav has historically played an important role in social reform and awareness campaigns. According to Lodha, encouraging devotees to take a pledge against drugs during the festival would help strengthen community participation while inspiring the younger generation to reject substance abuse.
Malabar Hill Ganeshotsav Coordination Meeting Focuses on Festival Management
The coordination meeting was held on Tuesday at the second-floor auditorium of the D Ward Office of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Nana Chowk. More than 70 Ganeshotsav mandals participated alongside representatives from coordination committees, municipal departments, Mumbai Police, Traffic Police, corporators from South Mumbai, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, the Fire Brigade, and BEST Undertaking officials.
Lodha instructed civic authorities to work jointly so that permissions from the BMC, Mumbai Police, and Traffic Police could be processed through a single-window approval system. He emphasised that better coordination among departments would minimise inconvenience for devotees during the festival while ensuring smoother crowd management and improved civic services throughout the celebrations.
Ganeshotsav mandals reiterated their demand for allowing idol immersion in the sea and at Banganga, noting that related proceedings are currently pending before the court. Lodha acknowledged that devotees wished to bid a grand farewell to Lord Ganesha and assured participants that every possible effort would be made to respect those sentiments while complying with legal processes.
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Artificial Immersion Ponds, Public Safety and Civic Infrastructure Prioritised
The minister also directed municipal officials to study the possibility of constructing larger and more elaborate artificial immersion ponds. He proposed building a spacious artificial pond, approximately five to six feet high, at August Kranti Maidan while inspecting additional potential immersion sites to ensure sufficient facilities for devotees.
Recognising the heavy influx of visitors to Khetwadi during Ganeshotsav, Lodha called for adequate food and drinking water arrangements. He instructed the BMC to deploy garbage collection vehicles twice daily at Girgaon Chowpatty for timely removal of nirmalya and directed officials to ensure idols immersed in the sea are promptly handled to minimise environmental impact.
Ganeshotsav mandals also requested that temporary “No Parking” signs be installed near festival venues and appealed for relaxation of punitive action by the Traffic Police against vehicles parked near mandals during the ten-day celebrations. The demands were discussed as part of broader traffic management measures for the festival period.
To enhance public safety at Girgaon Chowpatty and adjoining coastal areas, officials announced that the number of lifeguards would be increased wherever required. Directions were also issued to facilitate immersion permissions for Shadu clay idols, while WhatsApp groups will be created to share timely information about sea tides with Ganeshotsav mandals.
Infrastructure Improvements and BMC Preparations Ahead of Ganeshotsav
Lodha instructed the BMC to immediately repair potholes along Ganesh idol procession routes, prune dangerous tree branches, and remove unnecessary overhead cable wires. He also highlighted persistent waterlogging in Khetwadi Lanes 1 to 14, directing regular anti-mosquito spraying to reduce the risk of dengue and malaria during the monsoon season.
A proposal to establish a Hirakani Room at a school in Khetwadi was also raised during the meeting. Addressing recurring power disruptions during Ganeshotsav, Lodha directed BEST Undertaking to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, particularly during nighttime, and instructed both the BMC and BEST administration to enhance decorative lighting at major junctions across the Malabar Hill Assembly constituency.
The minister further clarified that Ganeshotsav mandals awaiting pending security deposit refunds should submit applications at the office located in Dharam Palace, assuring that necessary action would be taken to process eligible refunds.
Meanwhile, BMC officials informed the meeting that extensive preparations are underway at Girgaon Chowpatty. A total of 1,194 flat panels will be installed to prevent vehicles from sinking into the sand, CCTV cameras will be deployed to strengthen security, 13 artificial immersion ponds will be created for idol immersions, and dedicated police watchtowers will monitor crowds to ensure safe and orderly celebrations.
As preparations intensify across Mumbai, authorities expect coordinated efforts between civic agencies, law enforcement, and Ganeshotsav mandals to support safer festivities while advancing the broader message of a Drugs-Free Mumbai. Sprouts News will continue monitoring significant developments related to festival preparedness and civic administration as Ganeshotsav approaches.
