Pune, 7th August 2025: As Ganeshotsav 2025 approaches, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued updated guidelines for festival permissions. All permissions granted in 2019 for festival mandaps, welcome arches, and running pandals will remain valid until 2027, eliminating the need for reapplication or payment of license fees by those mandals.
For Ganesh mandals operating in newly merged villages or those planning to celebrate the festival for the first time, fresh permissions must be obtained using the same application procedure as in 2019. This includes approvals from the local police station, traffic police, and the PMC's zonal office. These new applicants too will be exempted from permit fees.
If a mandal needs to shift from its previously approved location due to redevelopment or other unavoidable reasons, it must apply for a new location permit. To facilitate smoother processing, the PMC and Pune Police will run a single-window system at respective police stations to issue all required festival-related permits.
All mandals must follow the directives issued by the Bombay High Court in PIL No. 173/2010, including structural safety, road accessibility, and environmental responsibility. The maximum height for mandaps is 40 feet, and any structure exceeding this height must be certified by a registered structural engineer.
Mandals must ensure emergency vehicle access by keeping adjacent roads clear and setting up arches with a minimum road clearance of 18 feet. Adequate volunteers or security personnel should be deployed to manage crowd control.
After the conclusion of Ganeshotsav, all structures must be dismantled within three days, and the site must be restored by the mandal at its own cost. Damage to roads or pavements must be repaired using proper cement concrete.
PMC has emphasized the use of eco-friendly shadu clay idols and has directed all mandals and citizens to follow pollution control guidelines issued by the Maharashtra government. Fire safety measures and noise pollution norms must also be strictly followed to avoid complaints.
Citizens can report violations or issues through the following PMC channels:
Website: http://complaint.punecorporation.org
Toll-Free: 1800 103 0222
App: PUNE Connect (PMC Care)
WhatsApp: 9689900002
Encroachment Office: 020-25501398
Emails: feedback@punecorporation.org / encroachment1@punecorporation.org
All complaints will be addressed at the zonal level and respective police stations.
Mandals must prominently display laminated copies of their permits on site, and unauthorized vendors will face legal action. PMC’s estate department has made provisions to legally allocate open spaces and school grounds for Ganesh idol vendors within city limits.
PMC retains the right to cancel any approved permit before the festival begins if the site is disputed or required for essential work. All mandals are expected to fully comply with these regulations.
