Ganesha Festivities Near, Belagavi Prepares Amidst Civic Woes

As the familiar rhythm of Ganeshotsav approaches, Belagavi is abuzz with preparations for the 11-day festival, commencing September 14. Workshops are alive with artisans adding final touches to thousands of Ganesha idols, while community groups are erecting elaborate pandals. More than 400 public Ganesha idols are slated for installation within the city, with the total expected to surpass 1,100 across the wider Belagavi region.

Organizers at officially permitted public mandals are diligently focusing on cleanliness, safety, and other arrangements, with the district administration and police having activated single-window clearance centers. Despite ongoing campaigns for eco-friendly alternatives, plaster of Paris idols are predicted to lead the market once more, although their makers are reporting increased production costs.

This festive buildup, however, unfolds against a backdrop of significant civic infrastructure challenges. Damaged roads in numerous market areas have led to criticism of the Belagavi City Corporation's repair pace. Local bodies have been directed to clear roads and fill potholes, with instructions issued to ensure proper restoration of excavated areas by KUIDFC officials.