Archive · 2 Sep 2026
BMC to Train Ganeshotsav Volunteers Across Mumbai for Emergencies
The BMC wants Ganesh festival volunteers to learn how to handle emergencies.
At least eight to ten volunteers from each public festival group will receive training.
They will learn about controlling crowds and preventing accidents.
They will also practice first aid and CPR.
The lessons will cover fires, electrical accidents and health problems.
Training will happen in all 26 Mumbai civic wards.
Firefighters, police, disaster responders and civic officials will teach them.
The plan follows an accident in Bhuleshwar where a large Ganesh idol collapsed, killing two people and injuring five.
The BMC will hold one-day emergency-response training for 8–10 volunteers from each public Ganeshotsav mandal.
Training will cover crowd management, first aid, CPR, electrical accidents, fires and health emergencies.
The programme will be conducted across all 26 BMC administrative wards.
The Mumbai Fire Brigade, Mumbai Police, National Disaster Response Force and other civic departments will guide volunteers.
The initiative follows a Bhuleshwar incident in which a collapsed 22-foot idol killed two people and injured five.
- Who
- The BMC Disaster Management Department will train volunteers from public Ganeshotsav mandals, with guidance from civic departments, the Mumbai Fire Brigade, National Disaster Response Force and Mumbai Police.
- What
- A one-day Emergency Management and First Responder training programme covering crowd management, preventive safety, first aid, CPR and emergency response.
- When
- Announced on September 2, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Ganesh festival.
- Where
- Across all 26 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation administrative wards in Mumbai.
- Why
- To strengthen festival safety and preparedness, particularly after the Bhuleshwar idol-collapse incident.
- Training participants
- At least 8–10 volunteers from each Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandal
- Training duration
- One day
- Coverage
- All 26 BMC administrative wards
- Topics
- Crowd management, first aid, CPR, electrical accidents, fires and health emergencies
- Involved agencies
- BMC departments, Mumbai Fire Brigade, National Disaster Response Force and Mumbai Police
- Recent incident
- A 22-foot Ganesh idol collapsed in Bhuleshwar, killing two people and injuring five