Around 5,173 employees and 2,382 officers will be working to oversee the immersion.
The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and city police have made elaborate arrangements including deployment of choppers and drones to ensure smooth immersion of Lord Ganesha idols on Thursday, which will culminate the 11-day long festival. "A total of 31 artificial ponds have been created for immersion while people can immerse the idols of the elephant-headed deity in 69 natural ponds across the mega-polis," MCGM said in a statement.
Last year, the civic body had created 26 artificial sites for immersion while there were 71 natural sites. "607 life guards are being deployed, 58 control cells and 74 first aid centres have been set up in the city. Moreover 81 motor boats and 60 ambulances have been kept ready," it said, adding 118 portable toilets are set up.
201 'Nirmalya Kalashas' are also being kept by the civic body. As many as 5,173 employees and 2,382 officers will be working to oversee the immersion. Prime locations for immersion are Girgaon Chowpatty, Juhu beach, Powai lake, Dadar Chowpatty, Madh jetty, Marve etc.
Mayor Snehal Ambekar and civic chief Ajoy Mehta in a joint statement appealed devotees to inform the civic authorities as and when they need any assistance or if they are stung by jelly fish or sting ray. The immersion process is likely to begin since the wee hours and over 50,000 idols are likely to be immersed amid fanfare and tight security. Police have beefed up security and companies of the State Reserve Police Force are also being deployed.
"We are in touch with all the concerned agencies and have made necessary arrangements for a smooth 'Visarjan' (immersion)," Mumbai Police spokesperson Ashok Dudhe said. "Apart from our full strength, cranes, watchtowers, drones, coast guard's helicopters, CCTVs and floodlights have been arranged to keep a watch on every movement of the revellers and devotees," he added.
A senior police officer said that the leave of officials has been cancelled in view of the immersion. "Our strong team of all assistant sub-inspectors, constables, women constables along with hundreds women officers, have been deployed to maintain law and order," said the official. Officials said several traffic constables and officials have also been deployed to control the traffic.
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