Overview
- The BMC had planned to raise the penalty from ₹2,000 to ₹15,000 per pothole for Ganeshotsav mandals to cover expensive concrete-road repairs.
- Organisers formed coordination committees and secured a promise from Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha on July 30 to advocate for a reduced levy.
- On July 31, Shinde consulted Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani before directing the BMC to reinstate the original penalty.
- Festival mandals are now responsible for refilling any road pits and are urged to adopt non-invasive pandal and barricade installation methods.
- The decision spares organisers a steep hike in restoration fees and preserves their budgets for the upcoming festival.