The Ganesh festival is one of the biggest festivals in Konkan region. Lakhs of people from Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) travel to Konkan at their family homes for the festival. This year it will be celebrated from August 22. However this year the celebrations are going to be low key due COVID-19 pandemic. Every year, thousands of people from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and adjoining areas return to their district for the Ganesh festival. However, this year, there have been strict restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. State Transport Minister Anil Parab on Monday said, people can travel to Konkan for Ganesh festival but they will have to follow the rules.
We have sought the guidance of ICMR and the health department who will guide us in this situation, said Parab. The information given by Anil Parab has made it clear that the migrants from the Konkan region will be allowed to travel for Ganeshotsav. However, some rules and conditions will have to be followed by the people. The guidelines for travelling have not been specified. Physical distancing has to be observed while traveling. A large number of people travel to Konkan for Ganeshotsav. Therefore, it will be a challenge for the administration to ensure physical distancing is maintained during the journey.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has directed the authorities to form village- level vigilance committees in Konkan in the coastal districts of the state, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the next month's Ganesh festival that is celebrated there in a big way.