Despite receiving more applications than last year, the authorities have given fewer sarvajanik mandals permission to erect pandals. While mandals have sent out 3,358 applications, 256 more than last year’s figure, only 2,635 got the go-ahead by 6 pm on Friday.  

The remaining applications are still under review by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, police and traffic authorities. Last year, 2,729 pandals were approved by the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi.