Fall of Gwalior’s ‘tallest’ Ganesh idol brings residents on road against potholes

BHOPAL: The festive spirit in Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh was shattered when the city’s tallest Ganesh idol, standing at a towering 25 feet, met an end due to a deep pothole on the road. The idol’s fall has led to an outpouring of anger from local residents, who took to the streets seeking legal action against those accountable for construction and maintenance of roads.
One of the organising committee responsible for transporting the idol, began their journey from Jiwajiganj at midnight on Saturday. After around 18 hours of navigating electric wires and potholes, they had managed to move the idol only 2 kilometres. The accident occurred near Nawab Saheb's well at approximately 8 pm on Sunday, when the vehicle carrying the idol hit a deep pothole, causing the idol to tilt and fall.
Some people were reportedly injured when the idol collapsed, but no injuries have been officially reported. Following the incident, a large crowd gathered at the scene, blocking the road and demanding an FIR against those responsible for the pothole.
The disturbance lasted for about two hours before police intervened. They facilitated the immersion of the damaged idol and assured the protesters that action would be taken regarding their grievances.
The Ganesh idol took over a month to make and cost Rs 1.5 lakhs. It was mounted on a cart-like platform for transport. The committee responsible for the idol has been installing Ganesh idols in Khallasipura for 31 years, progressively increasing the size each year. The giant pandal prepared for the installation measured 40 x 60 feet and was constructed to be waterproof due to the rainy season. This year's idol was particularly significant as it was the largest ever created by the committee.