Prioritise safety while celebrating festivals

A condolence banner at the Bhuleshwarcha Raja mandap, where two lives were lost on Saturday. PIC/ASHISH RAJE

There is a mix of grief, anger and confusion at the deaths and injuries resulting from the fall of a Ganesh idol on the Bhuleshwar stretch. The idol fell from the truck, and there were two deaths. Some others were injured and admitted to the hospital.

Our reports stated that a speed breaker has been removed from the stretch, so vehicles carrying the idol from workshop to mandal have a smooth stretch to move on.

Pandals must make sure that the idol is absolutely ready to move from workshop to destination. Extreme caution when the idol is being taken to the vehicle, plus ensuring that Ganeshji has been fixed and welded tightly as the truck/vehicle moves. While mandal volunteers may be accompanying the idol for years, every year is a new chapter, and there should be absolute attention and awareness on this journey.

While civic authorities have charted out routes, earlier and even now, if certain roads need a fix, they should be addressed. Drivers of heavy vehicles have done this before, and they do know how to traverse with the idols, yet slow is the way to go and maybe volunteers or helpers can send out warnings for any kind of road obstruction or even speed breakers so that the driver knows in advance.

Worshippers need to be absolutely disciplined en route, so that the vehicles can ply without having to brake abruptly or turn sharply. Selfie-seekers, be wary as you look for that photo. Other vehicles behind or passing by need to be extremely careful too. Authorities need to check overhead wires too, as we have had reports of injuries resulting from these, at times, fatalities too. Let us worship safety before, during, and after the festival.