Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal Announces Financial Aid After Bhuleshwar Idol Collapse

The Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal on Tuesday announced financial assistance following the collapse of the 22-foot-tall Bhuleshwar Cha Raja idol during its arrival procession on Balaram Merchant Road in the Bhuleshwar area of Mumbai.

The Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal announced on X that it will provide Rs 11 lakh in aid to the Bhuleshwar Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal. It will also provide Rs 5 lakh each to the families of Sanket Nevshe and Brijesh Joshi, two mandal office-bearers who lost their lives in the incident.

The accident took place on Saturday evening when the massive idol collapsed during its arrival procession. Two people were killed and nearly five others were injured. The injured individuals were transported to Reliance Hospital, GT Hospital, and JJ Hospital for treatment.

The idol was being transported from a workshop in Byculla toward Bhuleshwar. According to reports, the procession was about 50 to 100 feet away from the pandal when the idol fell from the crane.

The deceased have been identified as Sanket Nevshe, who served as an office-bearer and president of the Bhuleshwar Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, and Brijesh Joshi, also an office-bearer of the mandal.

Police investigations indicate that a technical failure in the support system holding the idol may have caused the collapse. Investigators are examining faulty welding as a potential factor, noting that the structure was allegedly supported from behind by only a single metal piece.

Following the incident, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation assured that it will conduct inspections of routes used for Ganesh idol arrival processions across Mumbai, focusing on safety measures and necessary road repairs.