Mumbai:
Devotees queueing up for 'Lalbaugcha
Raja' pandal this year will no longer have to brave intense
heat or heavy downpour to catch a glimpse of Mumbai's most
famous deity, as the Ganesh Mandal hosting has decided to
set up air-conditioned enclosures for them.
"In a first in seven decades, we are setting up a waiting
enclosure measuring 60,000 sq ft to prevent devotees from heat
and rains during the festival. It is on a ground that we have
taken on rent from Maharashtra Housing and Area Development
Authority and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation," said Shatish Khankar, President, Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal (LRSGM).
"The ground can accommodate at least 15,000 people at a
time and will have five giant air conditioning units for the
comfort of devotees", he further quoted.
Lakhs of people turn up from far off places including
foreigners and stand for hours in queues running into several
kilometres only to get a 'darshan' of the idol at LRSGM, which
is celebrating its 76th Ganeshotsav.
"As devotees have to wait in queues for 16-20 hours, we
will provide tea, snacks and bottled water to them free of
cost," Khankar said.
He also said that the enclosure will have a 24-hour intensive care unit
managed by doctors and medical attendants. Toilets will also be provided.
On security arrangement, he said, "We have installed over
50 cameras and a few metal detectors besides equipping all our
members with walkie-talkies. We have a small control room to
keep an eye on suspicious activities and monitor the movement
of devotees. In addition, police is also going to provide
security."