The BMC now has just a day's time to fill up all potholes along routes that will be used by Ganesh mandals on immersion day (Monday). According to the civic body's pothole tracking system, at present there are 1,151 potholes across the city that are yet to be filled. However, BMC officials claim they have taken up the work on a war footing and have repaired 424 of 442 potholes on the main roads used by mandals on immersion day.
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An elaborate plan has been chalked out for Monday. Around 8,263 BMC staffers will be on duty across 72 immersion points and 27 artificial immersion points across the city on Monday. As many as 404 lifeguards will also be present, along with 67 first-aid teams and 55 ambulances in case of emergencies. Also on duty will be 71 control rooms and 55 motor boats. Around 175 pots will be provided for disposal of flowers, and 301 steel plates in case mandals encounter potholes. The BMC has also deployed 172 dumpers and 64 watch towers and 278 CCTVs.
However, mandals say they aren't going to take any chances. Narendra Dahibhavkar, president of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshostav Coordination Committee, said, "We don't know how many potholes the BMC will be able to repair in a day. We have told our members to carry steel plates with them. In case the mandals encounter a crater, the plates can be placed on it so the idol can be moved over it smoothly."
Civic officials said they are well prepared to tackle any kind of problem on the day of immersion. "We will coordinate with the traffic police. Individual wards have been categorically told to keep
a check on the main roads in their wards and fill up potholes at the earliest," said a senior civic official.
"We are expecting that the number of idols has increased to 2,10,000 from last year's 2,07,641," a civic official said. Last year's figure was a combination of the public Ganesh idols as well as those in individual homes.
All hands on deck for Monday
8,263 BMC staffers on duty
100 Immersion points
404 Lifeguards
67 First-aid teams
55 Ambulances
71 Control rooms
55 Motor boats
172 Dumpers
64 Watch towers
278 CCTVs
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