Pune, 5th September 2025: The number of performers in dhol-tasha troupes for this year’s Ganesh immersion procession remains uncertain. While Pune Police have announced that each mandal will be allowed two troupes with a cap of 60 members each, the Dhol-Tasha Federation has argued that the figure is too low and that the actual strength will be decided as per necessity.
The issue was first raised during a meeting at the Police Commissioner’s office, where the cap was officially announced to avoid overcrowding during the city’s heavily packed visarjan route. The federation, however, maintained that a troupe often includes not just drummers but also traditional groups like lezim, tipri, cymbal players, and flag bearers, all of which require additional members.
Federation president Parag Thakur explained that while the police limit is understood, a troupe cannot be restricted to only 60 performers. “The numbers will be kept as needed, but our approach is one of cooperation, not confrontation. We are committed to ensuring the procession flows smoothly across the main routes,” he said.
Police officials, on the other hand, stressed that the restriction is intended to prevent stampedes and manage crowd movement in Pune’s central areas. “If each troupe brings 150–200 members, it becomes difficult for other citizens to move safely,” said Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjankumar Sharma, urging troupes to cooperate.
The immersion procession will begin at Samadhan Chowk and end at Alka Talkies Chowk. Instruments will be transported by tempo and returned via alternative routes like Kelkar Road and Kumthekar Road instead of Laxmi Road, to avoid congestion.
Volunteers from the federation, carrying ID cards, will coordinate between police, mandals, and troupes at key points such as Samadhan Chowk and Shagun Chowk.
Despite differences over numbers, both sides have assured cooperation to ensure Pune’s grand Ganesh visarjan remains smooth and safe.