Maharashtra: 2 Killed As 22-Ft Ganesh Idol Falls In Mumbai
The incident occurred around 10 pm on Saturday on Balaram Merchant Road near Kabutarkhana at Jay Ambe Chowk in Bhuleshwar in south Mumbai: Reports
MUMBAI: Two people were killed and several others injured after a 22-foot Ganesh idol of ‘Bhuleshwaracha Raja’ fell during its arrival ceremony in Mumbai on Saturday night, prompting the Maharashtra government to order an immediate inspection of Ganesh idol arrival routes across the city.
The incident occurred around 10 pm on Balaram Merchant Road near Kabutarkhana at Jay Ambe Chowk in Bhuleshwar, south Mumbai.
According to police, a preliminary investigation indicated that a welding support at the rear of the idol broke, causing it to fall forward. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, where two of them succumbed.
The deceased were identified as Sanket Nevshe, 33, president of the Bhuleshwaracha Raja Ganesh Mandal, and Brijesh Joshi, 30.
The mandal is entering its 63rd year and this year’s idol was based on a Thailand theme. The 22-foot idol, depicting Lord Ganesh seated atop a dragon, was crafted at the Byculla workshop of sculptor Aniket Desai.
A large crowd had gathered for the idol’s arrival procession, which began from Byculla and was headed towards Bhuleshwar. The idol was around 50 metres from the pandal when it toppled.
Taking serious note of the accident, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to inspect all Ganesh idol arrival routes within 24 hours.
Calling the incident “deeply distressing and painful”, Shelar said Ganesh mandals, the BMC and police must work in coordination to prevent such accidents.
The BMC has been asked to examine the condition of roads used for idol processions and take immediate steps on repairs and safety measures, he said.
Police are investigating the exact cause of the accident and whether there was any lapse. Shelar said no one responsible would be spared if an administrative failure was established.
The minister announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh each to five injured persons.
Following the tragedy, the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, an umbrella body of Ganesh mandals in Mumbai, appealed to organisers to keep idol arrival ceremonies simple this year.
Its president Naresh Dahibawkar urged mandals to avoid loud music, boisterous celebrations and unnecessary crowds and to express condolences for the volunteers who died in the Bhuleshwar incident.
The 10-day Ganeshotsav begins on September 14 this year and is among the biggest annual festivals in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.