Nagpur: From the prasad distributed at pandals to the roads used for Bappa’s arrival and immersion, Maharashtra govt has put food safety and procession preparedness at the core of Ganeshotsav-2026.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday directed Ganesh mandals to strictly follow Food and Drug Administration (FDA) norms and ensure that prasad served to devotees is pure and free from adulteration. He said mandals should familiarise themselves with the norms and make efforts to seek guidance and training so that basic food-safety requirements are followed.Fadnavis issued the directions at a law-and-order review meeting for Ganeshotsav held at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai.The CM said Ganeshotsav, now accorded the status of Maharashtra’s state festival, should be celebrated with enthusiasm while preserving discipline and sanctity. He said administrations, mandals and coordination committees should work together, remove shortcomings in arrangements and resolve difficulties faced by organisers without delay.Municipal corporations have been asked to ensure that routes used for Ganesh idol processions remain in good condition. Fadnavis specifically directed civic administrations to ensure that there are no potholes on these routes and that adequate lighting is available at night.He also asked authorities to resolve issues related to permissions to Ganesh mandals. Since most permissions for older mandals are recurring in nature, the administration should take a proactive approach and process them quickly, he said.Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde asked mandals to recheck safety arrangements before transporting idols, particularly larger ones. He said the structure of idols, including nuts and bolts, welding and other joints, should be checked to ensure that everything is secure.Shinde also appealed to organisers to keep children and devotees at a safe distance from large idols during arrival and immersion processions.Police have been asked to keep a close watch on violations involving firecrackers and loudspeakers and take strict action against those flouting rules. Mandal office-bearers and volunteers have been urged to remain alert against attempts to spread rumours through social media and immediately inform police or the administration if they notice anything suspicious.
