🔴 By | Arvind Jadhav
A joyous Ganpati arrival procession in Mumbai turned tragic late Saturday night after a massive Ganesh idol collapsed during its journey to the pandal in the Bhuleshwar area, leaving two people dead and five others injured.
The incident took place at around 10 pm near Kabutarkhana at Jay Ambe Chowk on Balaram Merchant Road, when the idol of Bhuleshwar Cha Raja, reportedly more than 22 feet tall, suddenly lost balance during the arrival procession.
🟡 Idol collapses just before reaching the pandal
According to preliminary information, the idol was being transported from Lalbaug towards Bhuleshwar. The procession had reportedly reached close to its destination when the massive structure became unstable and fell onto people accompanying the idol.
The impact created panic among devotees and members of the Ganpati mandal. Emergency teams were immediately alerted, with the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, traffic police, ambulance services and civic ward staff mobilising at the scene.
🟡 Two lives lost
Two people sustained critical injuries in the accident and later succumbed.
The deceased have been identified as Sanket Nevshe, 33, and Brijesh Hemant Joshi. Nevshe was reportedly associated with the Ganpati mandal as its president.
Five others, including two children, were injured in the incident. They were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, and civic officials said the injured were in stable condition.
🟡 Five injured rushed to hospitals
The injured have been identified as Vaibhav Ghenand, Pawan Chaurasiya, Lavanya Ganer, Divya Ganer and Kunal Kashid. The two children among the injured are reported to be five and seven years old.
Other reports stated that the injured were taken to hospitals including GT Hospital, JJ Hospital, HN Reliance Hospital and Saifee Hospital for medical treatment.
🟡 Was the idol’s supporting frame the reason?
The exact cause of the accident is still being investigated. A preliminary assessment cited by fire officials indicated that the welding of the frame supporting the idol may not have been adequate, potentially causing the idol to slip from the centre of its support structure.
Officials have not yet reached a final conclusion, and the circumstances surrounding the collapse remain under investigation.
The idol reportedly broke into three pieces following the fall and was subsequently placed on a dumper, according to fire officials.
🟡 Police begin investigation
The DB Marg Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and initiated further inquiries into the incident.
Investigators are expected to examine the idol’s supporting structure, transportation arrangements, safety measures and the circumstances that led to the sudden loss of balance.
🟡 A festive tradition raises fresh safety concerns
Ganpati idol arrival processions are among Mumbai’s most visually spectacular religious celebrations, attracting large crowds to the streets. However, the use of extremely large idols and the movement of heavy structures through densely populated areas also raises serious safety concerns.
The tragedy comes at a time when authorities and Ganpati mandals have already been discussing safer procession routes, road conditions, traffic management and other arrangements ahead of Ganeshotsav. Earlier this month, Ganesh mandals had raised concerns about potholes, hanging cables, unauthorised parking and traffic bottlenecks along idol procession routes.
What began as a celebration to welcome Bappa into the city has therefore ended in grief for two families and left five others injured.
The investigation will now determine exactly why the massive idol lost balance—and whether the tragedy could have been prevented with stronger structural and safety arrangements.
