BMC's single-window system for Ganesh pandal permissions opens today; Mumbai mandals can apply until Sept 13

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC has launched an online singlewindow system for public Ganesh mandals in Mumbai to obtain temporary permission to set up pandals for Ganeshotsav 2026The online system was made available from Friday August 14 and will allow public Ganesh mandals to submit applications for pandal permissions through the BMC websiteThe 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 courts directionsPublic Ganesh mandals seeking permission can apply through the BMC website under the lsquoFor Citizens ndash Pandal Public GaneshotsavNavratriOther Festivalsrsquo facility Once an application is received the ward office concerned will scrutinise itFollowing the scrutiny noobjection 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 levelNew Ganesh mandals can apply onlineMandals 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 onlineAfter 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 approvalAfter approval the mandal will have to pay a Rs 100 fee following which the ward office will issue the pandal permissionFiveyear permission holders can renew onlineMandals that already have permission to set up pandals on public or private land for five years can renew their permission through the online systemMandals that received fiveyear permission last year will have to submit an online application to renew their permission for 2026The 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 systemAfter the mandal pays the Rs 100 fee its permission will be renewed for 2026Mandals with oneyear permission in 2025 get two optionsGanesh mandals that received permission for only one year in 2025 will have two options this yearThey can apply for permission for 2026 alone or for a fiveyear period from 2026 to 2030The 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 100fee permission will be issued at the ward level according to the applicationApplications open till September 13Applications for public Ganeshotsav pandal permissions can be submitted through the online system from August 14 to September 13 2026The validity of the Ganeshotsav pandal permission is up to September 26 2026For public Navratri celebrations applications can be submitted from September 10 to October 10 2026 with the pandal permission valid up to October 21 2026Two volunteers must undergo trainingTo maintain order at Ganesh pandals during Ganeshotsav 2026 the BMC will organise oneday training workshops at the ward level covering crowd management fire safety and first aid among other issuesTwo volunteers from each public Ganesh mandal will be required to attend the trainingBMC asks mandals to avoid digging roads footpathsThe BMC has urged Ganesh mandals not to dig holes on roads or footpaths while setting up pandals Mandals have been asked to use effective holefree techniques for pandal constructionThe civic body said action would be taken as per the relevant circular if holes are dug on roads or footpaths for setting up pandalsPublic Ganesh mandals will also be required to strictly comply with the conditions specified in the Licensing Departments circular and advertising rules Compliance with the required fire safety measures will also be mandatoryThe BMC further said mandals must follow healthrelated directions issued by the government from time to time to prevent the spread of infectious diseasesThe 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