07 September,2011 07:58 AM IST | | Varun Singh
Not a red carpet, but brown sackcloth will be rolled out as Ganesha proceeds for visarjan; roads will be made even with burlap and sheets
Ganesh mandals, fearing that their idol might stumble over a pothole while being carried for immersion, have come up with an ingenious idea to ensure a smooth goodbye for the Lord.
Afraid that roads dotted with ditches and depressions will disturb the balance of the trolleys carrying the deity's figure en route for visarjan, the mandals have decided to carry wooden planks, heavy metal sheets and even gunny bags during the procession.
Wooden planks will be used ensure a smooth
passage for Ganpati at Ganesh Galli mandal
The moment they spot a gaping hole, they would pack it in with the sackcloth and cloak it up with the sheet, so the deity's carriage may pass without a jolt.
Girish Walawalkar, secretary of Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, said, "Even if the authorities mend the potholes, they would not remain in shape because of the rains. So, we have decided that we will exhibit caution from our side.
All major mandals are going to carry metal sheets and sacks with them during the immersion procession.
The moment a pothole is seen, they will fill them with the sacks and cover it up with metal sheets, so the surface remains even. By doing this, we the trolleys wouldn't have to go in the pothole and would move on the road swiftly."
The mandals took to improvising after the Chief Minister's assurance - that Mumbai would be free of potholes by last Thursday - was exposed to be as hollow as the city's roads seem to be ('Mr CM, look how hollow your promises are')
The Lalbaug Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal, Ganesh Galli has a 24-feet tall idol. Said Swapnil Parab of the mandal, "We are sure the potholes would be filled, but as a precaution, we would carry sacks and wooden planks with us, so that there's no problem in carrying the idol for its final ride across the city."
Not so noisy
Meanwhile, during the fifth day visarjan, the noise levels during the immersion process was considerably low. According to Awaaz Foundation, an NGO against sound pollution, noise levels touched an unprecedented low on the five-day visarjan in Navi Mumbai, Thane and parts of Mumbai.
"With few exceptions, mandals and processions did not have loudspeakers. A combination of effective, preemptive police action, and awareness campaigns following the recent Bombay High Court Order to control noise, appears to have had widespread effect.
u00a0
Ganpati mandals also appear to have cooperated," said Sumaira Abdulali, founder Awaaz Foundation.
