Ganeshotsav 2025: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Abrogates BMC's ₹15,000 Pothole Fee, Restores ₹2,000 Fine for Ganpati Procession Organizers
In a relief to the Ganeshotsav mandals in Mumbai, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, has announced a rollback of the recent increase in fines for potholes near their pandals during the festival.
The announcement was made on platform X by Shinde, following widespread backlash from the public. The increased fine, imposed by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), had triggered concerns among mandals, with President of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), Naresh Dahibavkar, stating that the increased fine to Rs15,000 per pothole would have placed a major financial burden on them.
The original fine for potholes caused by Ganeshotsav mandals in Mumbai is now back to Rs 2,000 per pothole, as announced by Shinde. This rollback reverses a BMC circular issued on July 21, 2025, which had increased the fine sharply from Rs 2,000 to Rs 15,000 per pothole.
Shinde has urged mandals to avoid digging concrete roads and to adopt modern, non-invasive methods for setting up pandals. Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has promised to take up the matter with the BMC commissioner.
The decision to rollback the fine was made following a discussion between Shinde and Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. The announcement offers relief to mandals ahead of the festival, providing them with some financial respite.
This rollback comes after strong opposition from Ganeshotsav organisers and public representatives, who argued that mandals take responsibility for filling potholes after the festival and that the increased fine was unreasonable. The backlash against the increased fine was significant, with many expressing their concerns over the financial burden it would impose on the mandals.
In conclusion, the fine for potholes near Ganeshotsav mandals in Mumbai now stands at Rs 2,000 per pothole, following the rollback announced by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The decision is expected to provide relief to the mandals ahead of the festival, allowing them to focus on their preparations without the added worry of excessive fines.
- The rollback in fines for potholes near Ganeshotsav mandals in Mumbai, initially increased to Rs15,000 per pothole, is now a general news topic, as it has been reversed to Rs2,000 per pothole, following discussions in policy-and-legislation and strong opposition from the public and politics.
- Amidst the backlash against the increased fine for potholes caused by Ganeshotsav mandals, crime seems to be the least of people's concerns, as the relief announced by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also includes an appeal to mandals to adopt non-invasive methods for setting up pandals, instead of digging concrete roads, potentially reducing potential criminal acts during the festival.
