Maharashtra Minister Lodha flags off Namo Express special train for Konkan residents ahead of Ganeshotsav

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 5 (ANI): Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha flagged off a Namo Express special train on Thursday ahead of the Ganeshotsav for the Konkan people to get a chance to go to their village to celebrate the festival. The train was flagged off from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).
Speaking on the occasion, Lodha said, "The arrival of Lord Ganesh is a matter of enthusiasm not only for his devotees in Maharashtra but everywhere. Thousands of people bring Lord Ganesh to their homes. This time, we have arranged a special Modi train for the people of Konkan. This train has been named Namo Express so that Maharashtra and Konkan also move forward at the same pace as the country is moving forward under the leadership of PM Modi."
Taking to social media platform X, Lodha expressed his pleasure of hosting the Namo Express every year for this occasion.
"Like every year, this year also on the occasion of Ganeshotsav, the Namo Express railway train organised for Konkanians was flagged off from CSMT. It gives me great pleasure to host Namo Express every year. For us Ganesha devotees, Ganeshotsav is a festival of faith and enthusiasm. Through Namo Express, thousands of Ganesha devotees get a chance to go to their village in Konkan and have darshan of their beloved Ganesha. BJP has always been committed to Hindu festivals," he said.
Speaking on the arrest of sculptor Jaydeep Apte in the Sindhudurg statue collapse incident, Lodha said, "Very strict action should be taken against him. It was his mistake and due to that, such a big incident happened, which hurt the sentiments of all the followers of Shivaji."
Earlier, a 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district collapsed on August 26. (ANI)