Mumbai: Ganesh Mandal Processions Cannot Use Gokhale Bridge For Large Idols

Organisers of Ganesh mandals in Mumbai face a significant challenge this year. The Gokhale Bridge flyover, a key route for the processions of large Ganesh idols, is now off-limits. The steel girder of an under-construction overbridge on the Gokhale Bridge is too low. This height restriction prevents the safe movement of large idols.

Ganesh Mandal Processions Cannot Use Gokhale Bridge

As a result, many mandals will reroute their processions. Instead of using the Gokhale Bridge, they will rely on the Vile Parle East-West flyover near the Parle company. This alternative route is not ideal, but it is necessary due to the height issues.

Vikram Singh, president of multiple Ganesh mandals, including the Andheri cha Vighnaharta and Bal Gopal Mitra Mandal, expressed frustration, reported The Indian Express. He noted that before construction began, mandals from Andheri and Jogeshwari warned authorities about the importance of the Gokhale Bridge for idol transport. They highlighted its crucial role in moving idols to Versova Beach and Juhu Chowpatty for immersion.

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Immerse Idols At Powai Lake

The Sankalp Mitra mandal from Marol Pipeline Kadam Wadi is also affected. The Indian Express reported that Umesh Rane, the mandal’s founder, explained they will once again immerse idols at Powai Lake. They had previously used Juhu Chowpatty but shifted to Powai Lake two years ago due to the construction. The narrow and crowded alternative routes were impractical.

The design of the new Gokhale Bridge, provided by the railways, has a fixed height. Increasing the girder height was not feasible due to the potential risk it posed to the live railway tracks below. This constraint has led to the current transport difficulties.

One arm of the Gokhale Bridge was opened to traffic in February this year. However, the BMC is still working on aligning the CD Barfiwala Flyover with the new Gokhale Bridge. This realignment is delayed due to pending block clearance from the Railways.

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The required steel girder needs a 15-day period to be launched over the railway tracks. The Railways have been reluctant to grant clearance during the monsoon season due to safety concerns. Once the clearance is given, the work can proceed, but it requires a two-hour window each day to safely position the heavy steel span.

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