14 August,2026 06:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mandals that already have permission to set up pandals on public or private land for five years can renew their permission through the online system. Representational Pic/File
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched an online single-window system for public Ganesh mandals in Mumbai to obtain temporary permission to set up pandals for Ganeshotsav 2026.
The online system was made available from Friday, August 14, and will allow public Ganesh mandals to submit applications for pandal permissions through the BMC website.
The civic body said all public Ganesh mandals will be required to comply with orders passed by the Bombay High Court in matters related to public Ganeshotsav. Permissions will be granted subject to the court's directions.
Public Ganesh mandals seeking permission can apply through the BMC website under the âFor Citizens - Pandal (Public Ganeshotsav/Navratri/Other Festivals)' facility. Once an application is received, the ward office concerned will scrutinise it.
Following the scrutiny, no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the local police and traffic police will be obtained online through the system. The process will be carried out under the guidance of the assistant municipal commissioner and deputy municipal commissioner concerned at the zonal level.
Mandals applying for permission to set up a public Ganeshotsav pandal for the first time on public or private land will have to submit their applications online.
After scrutiny by the ward office concerned, NOCs will be obtained from the local police and traffic police through the online system. The application will then be submitted to the zonal Deputy Municipal Commissioner for approval.
After approval, the mandal will have to pay a Rs 100 fee, following which the ward office will issue the pandal permission.
Mandals that already have permission to set up pandals on public or private land for five years can renew their permission through the online system.
Mandals that received five-year permission last year will have to submit an online application to renew their permission for 2026.
The ward office will physically verify that the location and area of the pandal correspond with the approved permission. NOCs from the local police and traffic police will then be obtained through the online system.
After the mandal pays the Rs 100 fee, its permission will be renewed for 2026.
Ganesh mandals that received permission for only one year in 2025 will have two options this year.
They can apply for permission for 2026 alone or for a five-year period from 2026 to 2030.
The applications will be scrutinised by the ward office concerned, following which NOCs from the local police and traffic police will be obtained online. After payment of the Rs 100-fee, permission will be issued at the ward level according to the application.
Applications for public Ganeshotsav pandal permissions can be submitted through the online system from August 14 to September 13, 2026.
The validity of the Ganeshotsav pandal permission is up to September 26, 2026.
For public Navratri celebrations, applications can be submitted from September 10 to October 10, 2026, with the pandal permission valid up to October 21, 2026.
To maintain order at Ganesh pandals during Ganeshotsav 2026, the BMC will organise one-day training workshops at the ward level covering crowd management, fire safety and first aid, among other issues.
Two volunteers from each public Ganesh mandal will be required to attend the training.
The BMC has urged Ganesh mandals not to dig holes on roads or footpaths while setting up pandals. Mandals have been asked to use effective hole-free techniques for pandal construction.
The civic body said action would be taken as per the relevant circular if holes are dug on roads or footpaths for setting up pandals.
Public Ganesh mandals will also be required to strictly comply with the conditions specified in the Licensing Department's circular and advertising rules. Compliance with the required fire safety measures will also be mandatory.
The BMC further said mandals must follow health-related directions issued by the government from time to time to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
The civic administration has appealed to all public Ganesh mandals to submit their applications online within the stipulated period and comply with all applicable rules and conditions.
