Bhuleshwar Ganesh idol collapse: Speed breaker where Ganesh idol first stalled removed

The speed breaker on Dr Anand Rao Nair Marg. Pics/By Sarthak Mehta

The speedbreaker enroute the aagman (arrival) of the Bhuleshwarcha Raja Ganesh idol was removed on Sunday. The Ganesh idol had toppled on Saturday while it was being brought from Bakri Adda in Byculla West to the Bhuleshwar area on late Saturday evening.

As per a Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS) member, the aagman procession, which left the workshop around 2 pm, was stalled for two hours due to a speedbreaker in its path.

"It hit a speed breaker, and the welding of the idol as it was placed on the plates that carried it broke. The sculptor shifted the idol, repaired the welding, and fitted it back onto the plates," stated the member.

The debris of another speed breaker nearby which was razed by the authorities

Another Samiti member said, "The said speed breaker was situated just a listtle ahead of the Agripada police station near a restaurant; BMC removed it the next morning." Following this, the idol resumed its path before toppling near Bhuleshwar. According to eyewitnesses, the idol was halted for 10-20 minutes because of the speed breaker.

Another speed breaker removed

Multiple quick commerce delivery executives stationed in the area stated that, while the speed breaker near a private critical care facility on the westbound lane of Dr Anand Rao Nair Marg was removed Sunday morning, another speed breaker on the same lane, which was situated outside of the Agripada police station, was removed just a day prior. Mid-day tried to contact the assistant municipal commissioner for the area but did not receive a response by press time.

Voices

Sujeer Shetty, 57, an eyewitness
‘I saw the idol with the three dragons pass from here around 4 pm on Saturday. We all were out of our workplaces to admire the massive idol. It has halted for around 15 minutes. The speed breaker was cleared today [Sunday] morning. I guess it happened after some complaint'

Yusuf Shaikh, 40, an eyewitness
‘I recall the idol passing this spot around 3 pm, just a little ahead of the speed breaker. It had halted for 10 minutes, they tightened some rods with a wrench and then it moved ahead'

A delivery agent,
‘I had seen the massive idol at this spot on Saturday around 4 pm. It was shocking when I later learned in the news that the man whom I saw in the procession died. The speed breaker was there yesterday; some mishap had happened after the idol passed it. They tightened some bolts and resumed ahead after 15-20 minutes'