What kind of a game is the civic body playing with Ganpati mandals? With the deadline to apply for the construction of a pandal just a day away, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has kept 452 applications hanging, thus reducing their chance to reapply, in case of rejection, to almost zero.

Civic officials said if the reason for rejection is documents missing, the mandals in question can reapply. But the 400-odd whose applications have been kept on hold may not be able to, considering the last date is August 31. Deputy Municipal Commissioner Narendra Barde said the applications will be finalised in the coming two days.