The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has clarified that it has not made fitness certificates mandatory for Ganesh idols weighing more than one tonne, dismissing reports circulating on social media about a new rule ahead of Ganeshotsav.
The clarification was issued after reports and social media posts circulated claiming that the civic body had introduced new safety requirements for large idols ahead of Ganeshotsav.
🔷श्री गणेशमूर्तींसाठी स्थैर्यता प्रमाणपत्र (Fitness Certificate) अनिवार्य करणे तसेच मूर्तीच्या जडणघडणीपासून ते वितरणापर्यंतची संपूर्ण माहिती ठेवणे बंधनकारक असल्याचे वृत्त विविध समाजमाध्यमांवर प्रसारित होत आहे.
— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) August 26, 2026
तथापी, बृहन्मुंबई महानगरपालिकेकडून अशा प्रकारचे कोणतेही निर्देश…
ALSO READ: Two Crushed To Death, Five Injured Under 22-Foot Ganesh Idol In Mumbai
BMC Denies Idol Tracking Requirement
The BMC also rejected claims that it had introduced a mandatory system to record an idol's details throughout its journey, from construction to delivery.
In a post on X, the civic body said no instructions had been issued for such documentation and urged Ganeshotsav mandals and devotees not to believe or forward unverified messages circulating online.
The clarification comes ahead of Ganeshotsav, when large numbers of Ganesh idols are transported across Mumbai from workshops to pandals.
Safety Concerns
A recent incident where a Ganesh idol collapsed during an arrival procession in Mumbai's Bhuleshwar area, killing two people and injuring five others. The civic body said discussions on safety measures for large idols are underway, but no decision has been taken to make fitness certificates compulsory.
The accident raised concerns over the safety of transporting large idols through crowded city roads during the festival.
While denying the reported certification and tracking requirements, the BMC said safety arrangements during idol arrivals remain important. It has asked Ganesh mandals to coordinate with the civic administration, police and traffic authorities while planning idol arrival processions.
BMC Urges To Verify Information
The civic body has asked organisers and devotees to check official communications rather than messages circulating on social media.
For now, there is no BMC requirement for a fitness certificate based on the weight of a Ganesh idol, nor a compulsory system to track an idol from its construction to its delivery to a pandal, the civic body clarified.
ALSO READ: Ganesh Idol Collapsed After Welding Support Broke, Says Mumbai Police; ADR Registered
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