Potholes have begun to worry Ganesh mandals as Ganesh chaturthi approaches. Local mandals had last year written to the Thane municipal commissioner and Mayor, requesting them to fill up potholes before Ganesh utsav, but nothing was done. The story seems no different this time. Interestingly, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) officials including the commissioner have been claiming that there are no potholes in Thane, even as residents face the reality. On Saturday Ganpati mandals reiterated their demand, with a list of pothole-ridden roads, which they gave the Thane mayor, asking her to get them filled before Ganesh Utsav.

Thane district Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti head Samir Sawant said, "When Ganesh idols made of plaster of Paris are ferried by road and there is a jerk due to a pothole, they could crack. There are several potholes on many roads in Thane, which create a problem during the Ganesh festival. It is not only the responsibility of the TMC but of corporators to ensure all roads are pothole free. But this has not happened. So we have also requested the mayor to resolve the issue before the festival."