07 September,2026 11:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The Maharashtra FDA recently introduced a year-round SOP aimed at strengthening food safety monitoring across the state. File Pic
The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), which represents public Ganesh mandals across Mumbai, has sought clarity from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the rules for serving mahaprasad during the upcoming Ganeshotsav 2026, reported the PTI.
The committee said it supports food safety measures but wants the authorities to clearly explain the applicable standard operating procedures (SOPs), particularly for smaller mandals that may not have the funds to hire professional food contractors.
Speaking at an interaction with the media at the Mumbai Press Club on Monday, BSGSS president Naresh Dahibavkar said mandals were concerned about the requirements they would have to follow while preparing and distributing mahaprasad, the news agency reported.
"We fully support the action being taken by the department. But our difficulty is that we cannot appoint contractors because we do not have that much money. If a reputed contractor is mandatory, please tell us what we should do," a committee representative said, according to the PTI.
Dahibavkar said several mandals had approached the committee seeking clarity on the rules. The BSGSS subsequently wrote to the authorities seeking details of the applicable SOPs.
The organisation, formed in 1982, represents around 12,000 public Ganesh mandals, according to Dahibavkar.
The Maharashtra FDA recently introduced a year-round SOP aimed at strengthening food safety monitoring across the state. Under the system, enforcement activities for festivals are scheduled to begin 21 days before the event.
FDA teams will identify areas and food products considered vulnerable to adulteration and inspect manufacturers, mills, wholesale markets, storage facilities and other food establishments.
Dahibavkar said mandals should be informed clearly about the requirements well in advance.
"If mahaprasad has to be stopped altogether, then tell us that. But, as far as I know, we have not received any answer yet," he said.
The BSGSS also spoke about the use of sound amplification systems, commonly referred to as DJs, during the festival.
Dahibavkar said any decision on a complete ban would be for the government and civic authorities to take. However, he stressed that Ganesh mandals must follow the prescribed noise limits, the PTI reported.
Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, the permitted limit cited by the committee is 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night, with additional restrictions near hospitals, schools and colleges.
Dahibavkar said awareness among Ganesh mandals had helped improve the situation in Mumbai over the past five to six years.
The committee also raised concerns over the implementation of rules relating to Ganesh idol immersion. It said decisions and SOPs should be communicated to mandals sufficiently early so that they can make the necessary arrangements, reported the PTI.
Dahibavkar said the committee had proposed a rotational immersion system to reduce the environmental impact.
The system was implemented at Girgaon Chowpatty last year, with the aim of reducing the time idols remain at the immersion site. According to figures cited by Dahibavkar, around 72,300 eco-friendly idols up to six feet in height were immersed last year, compared with around 1.11 lakh plaster of Paris (PoP) idols.
The BSGSS also appealed to mandals to deploy sufficient manpower during immersion processions, particularly because of the large crowds expected during the festival.
The issue of Ganesh idol height was another concern raised by the committee.
According to the PTI, Dahibavkar said the height of an idol should not be considered separately from other factors such as the height of the mandap, transportation route, electrical arrangements, traffic management, public safety and immersion facilities.
He said a decision was taken around 2008 to restrict idol height to 18 feet, and the system was followed for several years before competition among mandals made the issue more complicated.
The committee also called for clear rules on how idol height should be measured. According to Dahibavkar, some mandals had previously interpreted the restrictions in a way that allowed additional structures below the idol, effectively increasing the overall height.
The BSGSS said its aim was not to oppose the traditions of Ganesh mandals but to ensure that celebrations take place safely and with minimum inconvenience to the public, as per the PTI.
Dahibavkar also pointed to difficulties faced while transporting large idols, particularly because of bridges, roads and other infrastructure.
He said responsibility should not automatically be placed on mandals if an idol is damaged during transportation. The condition of roads, trolleys and supporting structures should also be examined.
The committee urged the authorities to provide clear guidelines on food safety, noise limits, immersion arrangements and idol dimensions before the festival so that mandals can comply with the rules while continuing traditional celebrations, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
