Pune: As the city gears up to welcome Lord Ganesha, preparations by public organizations are in full swing with pandal construction nearing completion.
With the possibility of rain during the festivities, many organizations are taking necessary precautions to ensure uninterrupted celebrations.
The materials required for setting up pandals, such as wooden poles, bamboo, sheets, and iron columns, are being sourced from Mumbai and other states.
The design of each pandal is tailored to the specific theme chosen by the mandal, with construction costs starting at ₹70,000 to ₹80,000 depending on the size and materials used.
Typically, a pandal is completed in two to three days by a team of 10 to 12 workers. However, this busy period often sees a shortage of skilled labor, prompting contractors to offer wages above the usual market rates.
With around 4,000 public Ganesh mandals in the city and suburbs, as well as many housing societies setting up their own pandals, the demand for construction has surged.
Planning for these structures begins at least a month before the festival, with actual setup commencing about 10 to 12 days prior to the celebrations.
Materials for pandal construction, such as sheets and fabric, are sourced in large quantities from Gujarat, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. Many pandals feature stages that require additional infrastructure like stairs, and numerous mandals decorate the area with large flex boards.
Due to municipal regulations, digging on cement roads is not allowed, so base plates are used to support the structures.
For pandal contractors, the Ganesh festival is a period of prosperity. “Lord Ganesha brings growth and abundance for us. No matter the ups and downs throughout the year, Ganeshotsav brings ‘good days’ for all businesses, which motivates us and brings satisfaction,” says Samir Ugle, a pandal contractor.
Deepak Date, another contractor, shared his joy in being part of the festivities: “It is our privilege to set up the pandals and seating arrangements for Lord Ganesha for 10 days. We adhere to the guidelines set by the municipal corporation and police regarding the size, road usage, and stage construction.”
