Mumbai, September 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A controversy has erupted in Ghatkopar West over the construction of a Dahi Handi stage in the middle of a road, prompting the Ghatkopar Police to seek immediate action from the Municipal Corporation.
The Senior Police Inspector of Ghatkopar Police Station wrote to the Assistant Commissioner of N-Ward on September 3, objecting to the stage being constructed for a Dahi Handi festival organised by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
According to the police, MNS leader Ganesh Chukkal is scheduled to organise the festival on Saturday at Amrit Nagar Circle in Ghatkopar West. The civic authorities had reportedly been informed about the police’s no-objection to the programme on the condition that pedestrian and vehicular movement would not be obstructed.
However, during an inspection around 7 p.m. on September 3, police officials found that a stage was being erected in the middle of the road in front of the Sagar Park building.
The police said the completed structure could block the proposed 90-foot road leading towards the building, potentially preventing emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire engines from accessing the area.
The letter also alleged that the required permissions had not been obtained from the ward officer and the Vikhroli fire department before construction began. Police further noted that no site inspection appeared to have been conducted before the structure was erected.
The authorities cited a previous fire incident to underline the potential risk. On September 2, 2025, a fire broke out at a shop in Indira Nagar, with emergency vehicles reportedly facing difficulty reaching the location because of hawkers and unauthorised parking on the road in front of the Sagar Park building.
The issue of hawkers and unauthorised parking in the area was also raised during the hearing of PIL No. 324/2025 before the Bombay High Court on September 3, 2025.
The Ghatkopar Police have consequently urged the Municipal Corporation to take appropriate action and ensure that festival arrangements do not obstruct traffic or compromise emergency access.
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