The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti on Tuesday urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to waive the Rs 2,000 fine imposed on Ganesh Mandals for digging potholes while setting up pandals. The demand was raised during the Ganeshotsav review meeting held on Thursday at the Sahyadri Guest House under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Guardian Minister Mangalprabhat Lodha, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, and members of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti were present at the meeting.

The BMC had initially proposed a penalty of Rs 15,000 on Mandals that dig roads for pandal construction. Following opposition from the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti last year, the fine was reduced to Rs 2,000. With Ganeshotsav recognised as a state festival, the committee demanded the waiver of this penalty for the second consecutive year, the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti said.