Ganeshotsav 2025: Just 19 Days To Go, But NMC Yet to Announce Mandal Permission Process
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Nagpur: With just 19 days left for Ganeshotsav, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is yet to officially announce the start of the application process for sarvajanik Ganesh mandals seeking permission to install idols and erect pandals.
The delay has sparked confusion among organisers and is already leading to traffic disruptions in several parts of the city.
Though the civic body has unofficially begun accepting applications, many mandals have gone ahead with pandal construction and installation of decorative arches — often encroaching on roads and obstructing traffic, particularly in residential areas and commercial hotspots. Without a formal, regulated process in place, NMC officials are struggling to conduct inspections or enforce rules, as sites have not been officially demarcated.
In 2024, NMC received 1,169 applications, of which 917 were approved and 102 rejected, mostly due to duplication or incomplete documents. All related charges were waived. In contrast, 1,277 applications were submitted in 2023, of which 876 were approved. That year, NMC collected Rs8.06 lakh in charges. It was during the 2023 cycle that NMC first launched its online application portal to streamline the process.
Last year, fees charged by departments such as fire and emergency services, garden, and estate were scrapped.
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Idol makers were also exempted from mandatory fire safety charges. However, no such exemptions have been officially announced for 2025, leaving organisers in a lurch. Officials say the civic body may again waive all charges, but a final decision is pending.
"Additional municipal commissioner Vaishali B has conducted a preliminary meeting, but without a formal notification from the state government on fee waivers, NMC is unsure whether to levy charges," said a senior official.
Until recently, the estate department collected ₹5 per sq ft depending on the size of the pandal, in addition to a ₹500 sanitation fee. The solid waste management department has already proposed a waiver of the sanitation fee again this year. Meanwhile, the estate department is expected to send its recommendations to municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari shortly, after which a comprehensive decision will be taken.
Organisers say the delay is proving to be both logistically and financially burdensome. "It takes 15–20 days to build a large pandal, especially those with elaborate themes or social messages. We can't wait till the last moment. Without permissions, we risk action, but we have no option," said a member of a prominent Mahal-based mandal.
Another organiser from Hanuman Nagar noted that preparations involve multiple stakeholders — including electricians, artists, carpenters, and volunteers — all of whom require advance clarity.
"The framework, lighting, safety arrangements — everything takes time. The uncertainty is affecting planning and increasing costs," he said.
In the absence of a formal announcement, many mandals remain unsure whether to proceed with official applications or continue with on-ground preparations without permits. This ambiguity has also impacted enforcement, as NMC has not begun site inspections or marking of approved pandal zones.
Although no new circular has been issued so far, the sanitation department has confirmed that the ban on plastic and thermocol decorations remains in effect. All mandals will be required to adhere to eco-friendly guidelines.
Deputy municipal commissioner (IT) Milind Meshram confirmed that the online application portal will go live on August 8. So far, seven applications have already been received from various zones — one from Laxmi Nagar, two from Mangalwari, three from Hanuman Nagar, and one from Lakadganj.
Unless NMC acts swiftly and issues a formal circular, the current delay could result in last-minute chaos, with hundreds of mandals scrambling for permissions — leaving insufficient time for safety audits, traffic planning, and crowd management ahead of the festival.
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