Ratnagiri civic body readies city for Ganeshotsav 2026

Ahead of the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival, Ratnagiri city has been decked up and the municipal council administration has stepped up preparations to welcome the deity. Senior officials have given the Ratnagiri Municipal Council clear instructions to ensure residents face no traffic congestion anywhere in the city during the festival days and that devotees can move about without hindrance. The administration has already begun taking the necessary steps accordingly.

Nearly 60 percent of the potholes on the city's roads have been filled so far, and the remaining work will be completed on a war footing over the next two days, with the administration aiming to finish as much work as possible in the shortest time. Speaking at a press conference held in the council's new conference hall, council president Shilpa Surve gave an assurance that all main and internal roads in the city would be made completely pothole-free within these two days. She also stated at the press conference that the municipal council would soon provide local stall owners in the city with better-quality stalls for the festival.

The press conference was attended by deputy council president Sameer, works committee chairman Bunty Kaur, and corporators Rajesh Todankar, Amit Vilankar, Suhel Sakharkar, Preeti Surve and Dattatray (Balu) Salvi, along with several other office-bearers of the council. Residents have welcomed the decisions and planning undertaken by the municipal council. The council has appealed to everyone to cooperate with the administration so that Ganeshotsav passes off peacefully and joyously. Residents have also expressed confidence that this year's festival will be more attractive owing to the special emphasis on city beautification and civic amenities.

Special care is being taken to ensure there is no power outage anywhere in the city during the festival period, with electricity department staff working round the clock to keep all streetlights functioning smoothly. Cleanliness drives on public roads, lanes and beaches have also been intensified. The municipal council will set up artificial immersion ponds to ensure the festival is celebrated in an eco-friendly manner. Additionally, a special urn will be placed at Mandvi beach for devotees to deposit flowers and offerings, which the administration said will help prevent pollution of the sea.