Pune, 18th September 2026: An ongoing procurement dispute in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has affected the supply of tarpaulins required for the safe transportation of immersed Ganesh idols. Despite Ganeshotsav already underway, regional offices have not received the material, raising concerns about the proper handling of idols after immersion.

The PMC had invited an annual tender through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for raincoats, gloves, masks, footwear, jackets, buckets and other materials required by sanitation workers and for Ganesh immersion arrangements. The ₹8.80 crore tender was initially approved by the Standing Committee. The decision was later cancelled, with a proposal to transfer the cost of the materials directly to employees’ bank accounts.

However, as this arrangement could not be implemented, the administration submitted a fresh proposal to purchase the required materials. At the Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday (September 16), a sub-motion directed the PMC to purchase only 30% of the material through GeM. The remaining material will be procured through a fresh tender on the Mahatender portal. This process is expected to take at least two months.

Around six lakh Ganesh idols are immersed in Pune during Ganeshotsav. Each regional office is normally provided with around 150 tarpaulins along with brooms, shovels, buckets and other equipment.

The tarpaulins are used to securely wrap idols after they are removed from immersion tanks and artificial ponds. This helps prevent damage and ensures that the idols are transported safely and respectfully.

The immersion of one-and-a-half-day idols has already taken place, while thousands more idols are expected to be immersed on the fifth day and during the remaining days of the festival. The shortage has therefore become an immediate concern for civic officials.

Officials from regional offices have written to the PMC's Central Stores Department seeking tarpaulins. Some officials also contacted contractors directly to arrange an urgent supply.

However, contractors reportedly declined to provide the material amid the ongoing procurement dispute. Regional officials are now concerned about managing the transportation of immersed idols without the required equipment.

Standing Committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale said the administration has been instructed to arrange the urgent purchase of tarpaulins under the 5-2-2 procurement rule.