Closed roads open up for Ganesha

MMRDA officials decide to open Navrang Cinema road for one day in order to let Andhericha Raja procession pass on Friday

Faith can move mountains and in this case it has reopened an entire road.

The JP Road stretch in Andheri (West) going towards Navrang cinema that was blocked off owing to the ongoing construction of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro rail will be opened on Friday, for just one day to allow the immersion procession of the famous Andhericha Raja Ganpati, the only Ganpati in Mumbai to be immersed on the Sankashthi day after Anant Chaturdashi.


Blocked: The stretch at JP Road in Andheri West, has been blocked off
for construction of the Metro VAG corridor. file pic

Since 1974, the Ganpati has been following the same route, which goes via Andheri market where the shopkeepers of the area decorate the truck carrying the deity.

However, owing to the Metro work, the road was closed to commuters.

Earlier, the Andhericha Raja's mandal, Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samitee (ANSUS), had planned to change their route.

But after residents and shopkeepers requested the mandal not to change the route in order to preserve old traditions, the MMRDA complied with their request and promised to reopen the road for one day.

Over 20,000 people are expected to take part in the procession that goes on for about 20 hours.

Speaking to MiD DAY, Uday Salian, the spokesperson of Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti said, "The shopkeepers approached us demanding that the route should not be changed after which we had meeting with MMRDA and Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd officials who have assured that on the day of the immersion, the road will be open for traffic."

Confirming the same, Dilip Kawatkar, MMRDA Joint Project Director said, "We have already spoken to the samiti members and assured them that we will open the route for one day so that the procession can pass."

And in keeping with their promise, an official surveyed the route yesterday and instructed workers to fill in the potholes by Thursday.

About Andhericha Raja
Andhericha Raja is considered to be the suburban equivalent of Mumbai's iconic Lalbaugcha Raja and it started in 1966. It is the only major idol that isn't immersed on the tenth day of the celebrations. Andhericha Raja is also known as 'Navasala Pavnara Ganpati' or Ganesha who fulfils wishes.