In the wake of the recent accident during the arrival of a Ganesh idol in Mumbai, Raigad based the HELP Foundation has called for comprehensive safety planning by civic authorities, police and Ganeshotsav mandals to prevent accidents during the upcoming festival.
The foundation said Ganeshotsav is an integral part of Maharashtra’s social and cultural life, with celebrations beginning with the arrival of the idol and continuing until immersion. However, incidents during idol processions, pandal construction, electrical installations and at crowded venues in the past highlight the need to treat safety planning with the same importance as festival preparations.
Recent Mumbai incident should serve as warning for organisers and authorities
Gurunath Vijaya Ramchandra Sathelkar of HELP Foundation said the recent incident should not be treated merely as another news event but should serve as a lesson for authorities and festival organisers.
The foundation has suggested a special pre-festival meeting involving civic authorities, police, MSEDCL, fire brigade, disaster management officials, rescue teams, health department officials and representatives of Ganeshotsav mandals.
Idol arrival routes need safety assessment before transportation begins
Instead of limiting such meetings to permissions and regulations, officials should identify possible accident-prone locations, assess potential risks and explain preventive measures and emergency response protocols to organisers, it said.
The foundation stressed that safety planning should begin with the arrival of the Ganesh idol itself. Large idols, transportation vehicles, narrow roads, overhead electrical wires, trees, bridges, sharp turns, uneven roads and crowds can pose serious risks if the route is not properly assessed.
Ganesh mandals should conduct a physical inspection of the proposed route before transporting the idol and check for obstructions and traffic-related challenges. The height of the idol and the vehicle carrying it should also be assessed to ensure that it does not come into contact with electrical wires or other structures.
The foundation said procession routes and arrangements should be planned according to the geographical and traffic conditions of each locality rather than following a uniform approach.
Narrow roads require crowd control and emergency access planning
In areas with narrow roads, organisers should avoid unnecessary crowding, keep routes clear for traffic and emergency vehicles and deploy additional volunteers at potentially hazardous locations.
While erecting pandals, organisers should ensure structural stability, safe entry and exit points, availability of fire-fighting equipment and emergency evacuation arrangements.
Electrical wiring used for lighting and sound systems should be inspected, with particular attention to earthing, overloading, generators and electrical equipment that could come into contact with water. The foundation said even minor negligence in electrical safety could lead to a major accident.
Immersion arrangements require focus on rescue teams, medical support and crowd safety
The foundation also called for similar precautions during immersion processions, when large crowds gather.
Authorities and mandals should plan for the safety of immersion points, water depth, lighting, boats or rescue teams, crowd management and medical facilities. A clear route should be kept available for ambulances and rescue personnel so they can reach an emergency site without delay.
Every Ganesh mandal should be provided with information about nearby ambulance services, fire stations, police assistance, disaster management teams, rescue personnel and medical facilities before the festival, the foundation said.
Ganesh mandals should receive emergency contacts and volunteer training
Key organisers and volunteers should also be given basic training on how to respond during emergencies, including what actions to take and what to avoid.
The foundation further suggested that every mandal appoint a safety coordinator and create dedicated teams responsible for processions, pandal safety, electrical arrangements, crowd management and emergency response.
“Preventing an accident is more important than responding after one has occurred. The objective of safety is not to reduce the enthusiasm of the festival, but to ensure that every citizen can celebrate it and return home safely,” Sathelkar said.
He added that lessons from the Mumbai incident and previous accidents should be used to strengthen safety measures.
“Let the festival be an expression of faith and enthusiasm, but there should be no compromise on safety. Precautions taken today can prevent a major tragedy tomorrow,” Sathelkar said.
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