BMC Denies Mandating Fitness Certificates for Large Ganesh Idols in Mumbai
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday clarified that it has not made fitness certificates mandatory for large Ganesh idols across Mumbai, nor has it issued directives requiring committees to maintain complete records of idols from construction to distribution.
The clarification followed social media reports claiming that the civic body had decided to introduce mandatory fitness certificates for Ganesh idols weighing more than one tonne. Those claims circulated after a recent idol accident in Bhuleshwar, in which two people were killed and several others were injured.
In a statement posted on X, the BMC said reports suggesting that a fitness certificate was compulsory for Shri Ganesh idols were incorrect. The civic body also denied taking any decision to mandate the maintenance of detailed tracking information about an idol throughout the process, from its crafting to its distribution.
The civic body urged Ganeshotsav committees and devotees not to believe or circulate the false information.
The clarification came amid reports that the civic administration was considering a dedicated safety framework for the transportation and arrival of large idols ahead of Ganeshotsav. Speculation had pointed to proposed measures including structural safety checks, fitness certificates, and the monitoring of heavy idols from the manufacturing stage until their arrival at pandals.
A meeting had reportedly been held to discuss a dedicated Standard Operating Procedure for the safety, certification, and transportation of large idols following the Bhuleshwar incident. However, the BMC's statement made clear that no such certification or record-keeping directive has been issued or finalised.
The civic body emphasised that it remains critical for Ganeshotsav committees to prioritise safety during idol arrival processions. The BMC appealed to mandals to coordinate closely with the Mumbai Police, traffic authorities, and civic officials while transporting idols along city roads.
The BMC is also focusing on road safety during the festival period, directing officials to ensure that routes used for idol arrival and immersion processions are properly maintained and kept free of potholes.
