Flyover in the way of Ganpati idols

5.5-m high King's Circle flyover may inhibit visarjan processions passing under it this year

The recently-inaugurated King's Circle flyover, connecting Maheshwari Udyan to Tulpule Chowk at Matunga, may have made things smoother for commuters, but for the Ganesh mandals in the vicinity, it is an impediment to be dealt with during visarjan.

The mandals that take their idols from King's Circle, Matunga and Sion for immersion, usually take Ambedkar Road until the Ruia College junction, after which they turn right, and reach Dadar via Tilak bridge.


The height of the newly-constructed King's Circle flyover connecting Maheshwari Udyan to Tulpule Chowk at Matunga will pose problems for idols passing under it. A GSB Mandal Ganpati at King's Circle


But they will not be able to take this course anymore. The new flyover, at 5.5 metres, will restrict the idols from passing below it.

"We will have to go all the way through Shankarnadkarni Chowk, a longer route. But even on this path, there are dividers which the traffic police will have to remove to let the Ganpati processions pass," said Satish R Nayak, spokesperson of GSB Seva Mandal.

Nayak added that with the government regulation barring flyovers to be built over 5.4 metres from the road's surface many tall idols will face problems.
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"In a meeting with the traffic department, we raised our concern. They might have to make alternative arrangements for the processions of thousands of devotees. As it is, our idol is very delicate to move because it is made of clay," Nayak said.

Nandkumar Chowgule, DCP (Traffic), said, "Many bridges and flyovers are made keeping in mind these factors and are allowed to go beyond the permissible height. But at times, mandals have to go a long way. The GSB mandal has been asked to follow the same."

Last year, a similar problem was faced by the mandal at Nana Chowk owing to a newly-constructed skywalk. But it was resolved at the last minute, Nayak said.

"We fear that the number of flyovers in the city might pose problems for idols passing under them. Hence we have made an appeal to the traffic department," said Naresh Dahibawkar, president, Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti.