Mumbai witnessed a tragic incident during the Ganpati Visarjan procession on Sunday. A hanging electric wire touched the Ganpati idol in the Sakinaka area, leading to electrocution of six devotees. Among them, one person lost his life while five others were admitted to a hospital.
The Incident at Sakinaka
According to police officials, the accident occurred around 10:45 am on Khairani Road in Sakinaka. During the procession, an overhead electric wire came in contact with the Ganpati idol. The sudden electric shock injured six devotees standing near the idol. They were immediately rushed to a nearby private hospital for treatment.
Doctors declared one of the injured dead upon arrival. The deceased was identified as 36-year-old Binu Sukumaran Kumaran. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed that the other five injured devotees are receiving treatment at the hospital and their condition is reported to be stable.
Identities of the Injured
Police officials confirmed that the injured devotees include Subhanshu Kamat, Tushar Gupta, Dharmaraj Gupta, Karan Kanaujia, and Anush Gupta. All five victims were admitted to Paramount Hospital, where doctors are monitoring their recovery closely. The authorities have assured that their lives are out of danger for now.
Similar Incidents Across Maharashtra
This unfortunate accident is not the only mishap reported during Ganpati Visarjan this year. In Palghar, three people were swept away during the immersion of a Ganesh idol. Thankfully, timely intervention saved their lives. Such incidents highlight the risks involved during massive processions, particularly in areas with inadequate safety measures.
During the visarjan processions, the Indian Coast Guard deployed helicopters, and Mumbai Police used drones to maintain aerial surveillance. These measures were taken to ensure safety and to monitor crowd movement, given the scale of celebrations across the city.
Ganpati Visarjan of Major Mandals
The immersion processions of major Ganesh idols, including the famous Lalbaugcha Raja, began on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi. The celebrations started on Saturday and continued throughout the night as lakhs of devotees participated in the farewell of their beloved Bappa.
By early Sunday morning, several idols reached Mumbai’s beaches for immersion. At Girgaon Chowpatty, at least half a dozen idols from prominent public mandals were immersed with traditional rituals. The immersion of Lalbaugcha Raja, which attracts massive crowds every year, is being carried out with special arrangements.
The idol is placed on a specially constructed platform and will later be taken into deep waters for immersion. Authorities expect the entire process to take several hours due to the large number of devotees accompanying the idol and the scale of the procession.
Safety Concerns During Festivals
The tragic death in Sakinaka highlights the urgent need for better safety measures during public festivals. Large gatherings, combined with electric wiring, traffic congestion, and heavy crowds, often create risky situations. Experts stress that authorities must coordinate more closely with power companies to avoid such accidents.
In recent years, the popularity of Ganpati Visarjan has grown even more, with elaborate decorations, large idols, and massive processions across Mumbai and Maharashtra. While the celebrations reflect cultural devotion, they also pose logistical and safety challenges. Incidents like the one in Sakinaka serve as reminders of the importance of proper planning, safety audits, and crowd management.
Emotional Impact on Devotees
For devotees, Ganpati Visarjan is a moment of both joy and sadness. Joy comes from the grandeur of the celebration, while sadness comes from bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha. However, when tragedies like electrocution occur, the festive mood turns into grief. The loss of a devotee during such a sacred celebration leaves a deep impact on the community.
Residents in Sakinaka and nearby areas expressed shock over the incident. Many devotees said that while festivals should be celebrated with enthusiasm, precautions must never be ignored. The death of Binu Sukumaran Kumaran has cast a shadow over the celebrations in the area.
The Ganpati festival is one of Mumbai’s grandest celebrations, drawing millions of devotees every year. The immersion of idols symbolizes faith, devotion, and cultural unity. However, the tragic accident during the visarjan in Sakinaka underscores the importance of prioritizing safety in public processions.
While authorities continue to manage large crowds with drones, helicopters, and additional police presence, preventing accidents requires a collective effort. Ensuring safe immersion routes, inspecting overhead wires, and coordinating with utility providers are essential steps.
As Mumbai bids farewell to Ganpati Bappa this year, the unfortunate loss of one devotee will remain a painful reminder of the need to make celebrations safer. The spirit of devotion must always be matched with responsibility to prevent such tragedies in the future.
