Pune: Ganesh Mandals Demand ‘One Window Scheme’, Women’s Toilets, New Immersion Ghats at PMC Meeting

Pune, 21st July 2025: As Pune gears up for the upcoming Ganeshotsav celebrations, a key coordination meeting was held on Monday at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to discuss preparations and address concerns raised by Ganesh Mandals across the city.

Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Krushikesh Rawale, senior civic officials, and representatives of several prominent Ganesh Mandals participated in the meeting. The discussions saw Mandal representatives putting forth several concrete demands aimed at improving facilities and ensuring smoother processions during the ten-day festival.

Key Demands: ‘One Window’ System and Basic Facilities
One of the primary demands raised was the implementation of a ‘One Window Scheme’ to streamline permissions and coordination for the Ganesh immersion processions. Mandals argued that this system would eliminate bureaucratic delays and reduce confusion during the festive period.

They also demanded the construction of accessible public toilets for women at key junctions across the city, especially along procession routes, and the development of new immersion ghats to ease crowding at traditional spots.

Other Suggestions and Civic Concerns
Among other recommendations, Mandals suggested:
Completion of the venerable Ganpati procession by 4 PM to manage crowds.
Enhanced police vigilance on youths carrying sharp weapons like scythes.
Avoiding the setup of pandals or stages near metro stations, suggesting the use of open spaces instead.
Proper utilization of municipal funds, and clear advertising guidelines to prevent misuse of the festival for commercial promotion.
Keeping Fergusson College Road open on immersion day to facilitate movement.
Faster completion of work on the Bhide Bridge to reduce pre-festival traffic congestion.

Mandals also criticized the practice of constructing immersion ghats at the same location each year and called for rotating sites. Some also raised the issue of inadequate symbolic offerings from the PMC, pointing out that “one coconut per Mandal” was not sufficient. A demand was also made for the administration to adopt a consistent approach under the principle of “one Mandal, one team,” ensuring equal treatment for all.

Civic, Police Response
Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram assured that the administration is committed to addressing the concerns raised. “All Ganesh Mandals are expected to follow the rules. Comprehensive planning will be done covering health facilities, pandal permissions, hoardings, CCTV surveillance, street lighting, pothole repairs, and noise control,” he said.

DCP Rawale, who recently took charge, also assured cooperation from the police department. “We are fully prepared to ensure peaceful celebrations and will extend full support to all Ganesh Mandals,” he stated.

Language Dispute Sparks Heated Moment
The meeting briefly turned contentious when a Mandal worker began speaking in Hindi, prompting others to insist he switch to Marathi. The disagreement reflected the broader Hindi vs. Marathi language debate currently echoing across the state. The issue deescalated after the speaker agreed to continue in Marathi, but the moment highlighted the ongoing sensitivity around language identity in Maharashtra.

As Ganeshotsav approaches, the PMC and various stakeholders now face the challenge of implementing these recommendations to ensure a safe and inclusive celebration for all Punekars.