Nagpur: With Ganeshotsav approaching, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Nagpur Police Commissionerate and district administration have urged Ganeshotsav mandals to celebrate the festival in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner.
A coordination meeting involving Ganeshotsav mandals and voluntary organisations was held at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Reshimbagh on Saturday (August 29). The meeting focused on ensuring smooth arrangements, public safety, traffic management, cleanliness and coordination among various government agencies during the festival.
Mayor Neeta Thakre said all departments should work in coordination to ensure that citizens face no inconvenience during the celebrations. She said the administration would take immediate steps to address issues raised by Ganesh mandals.
Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil described Ganeshotsav as an important festival that promotes social unity and helps develop new leadership among youngsters. He urged mandals to maintain adequate volunteer teams, prioritise the safety of women and children, comply with noise pollution regulations and organise constructive activities.
He also appealed to mandals to conduct de-addiction campaigns, blood donation drives and social awareness programmes, so that the festival could provide a positive direction to young people.
NMC Commissioner Dr Vipin highlighted civic arrangements made for Ganeshotsav and urged citizens to use public transport, including Aapli Bus and Nagpur Metro, to reduce traffic congestion. He also appealed to mandals to organise large-scale blood donation camps.
The civic body will undertake twice-daily garbage collection during the festival. Special vehicles will be deployed for collecting nirmalya (floral and other religious offerings), which will subsequently be used for producing compost and incense sticks.
Joint Commissioner of Police Navinchandra Reddy asked mandals to prepare volunteer lists, properly plan Ganesh idol arrival and immersion processions, promote awareness about cyber safety and ensure that celebrations do not inconvenience residents.
Ganesh mandals raised issues concerning traffic management, congestion on immersion routes, overhead wires, parking, mosquito control, nirmalya collection, CCTV arrangements, women’s safety, sound systems and the permission process. Officials assured the representatives that the suggestions would be forwarded to the concerned departments for necessary action.
5,001 Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idol Workshop on September 3
As part of its environmental awareness initiative, the NMC will organise a workshop on September 3, 2026, where school students will make 5,001 eco-friendly Ganesh idols using Shadu clay.
The free workshop will be held from 10 am to 1 pm at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium, Reshimbagh. Students from across Nagpur can participate and learn to make their own eco-friendly Ganesh idols.
Registration is available at https://nagpur-green-kids.emergent.host. The organisers have also appealed to Ganesh mandals to send one representative to participate in the initiative.
