Mumbai Ganpati Mandals Set to Play Music Under Permitted Visarjan Hours

Sarvajanik Ganpati mandals across Mumbai, including areas like Chembur, are preparing to celebrate the 10-day festival with music systems and loudspeakers under existing permissions, as no appeal against sound systems has been made for the city.

While Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed to citizens in Pune to celebrate the festival in a traditional manner amid protests against excessive sound systems, Mumbai mandals retain permission to operate loudspeakers and amplifiers from 6 am to midnight on four Ganpati visarjan days: September 15, September 18, September 19, and September 25. The notification, issued by the Mumbai City and Suburban Collector in February 2026, remains valid.

Naresh Dahibavkar, head of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganpati Mandal Samanvay Samiti, noted that sarvajanik mandals in Mumbai have held permission since 2012 to use loudspeakers until midnight on visarjan days. Under noise pollution control regulations, the decibel limit stands below 55 dB until 10 pm and below 45 dB between 10 pm and midnight.

Dahibavkar stated that the samiti urges mandal members to avoid using DJs and excessive sound systems that breach decibel limits, as violations can lead to police action. He encouraged mandals to use traditional dhol-tashas instead, though noted that some groups continue to play loud music.

Mandal organisers confirmed they plan to adhere to the existing framework. Kapil Mhapsekar, a member of Sahyog Mitra Mandal in Chembur, said that there have been no new restrictions announced for the city. He noted that their group secures police permission annually to operate loudspeakers until midnight on visarjan day and uses banjos during processions while staying within permitted limits and time constraints.