MAPUSA
Directing officials to ensure necessary lighting and security guards at immersion sites, Bardez Deputy Collector Kabir Shirgaonkar on Friday also instructed officials and police to take action against Ganesha idols made from Plaster of Paris which causes harm to the environment.
The deputy collector also issued instructions on the installation of CCTV cameras at Ganesh Mandaps and further cautioned that action would be taken if there is noise pollution after 10 pm.
Shirgaonkar passed the instructions while chairing a meeting with various officials to review preparations ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi. Officials from the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), police, fire station, office bearers of Ganesh Mandals, and representatives of the Mapusa Traders’ Association were present at the meeting.
Mapusa Fire Station incharge Ganesh Govekar, said stray wires should be removed from the market, while DySP Vishwesh Karpe demanded that fire extinguishers be installed at all public spaces.
It was suggested that the Ganesh Mandals should keep volunteers at the Mandap site, while there should be increase in police patrolling in Mapusa market area at night.
The Mapusa Traffic Cell police inspector recommended shifting the Matoli Bazaar in Mapusa market to the area near Bodgeshwar temple, to ease traffic congestion in the market area. However, this proposal was strongly opposed by the Mapusa Traders Association President Shripad Sawant and Secretary Siddhesh Raut, as they claimed that the Matoli Bazar runs smoothly in the Mapusa market.
After claiming that necessary precautions are being taken by the MMC and there was no need to shift the Matoli Bazaar elsewhere, the proposal was later dropped.
