The Mumbai police will keep a hawk-eyed view of the city with drones, a large network of CCTV cameras and personnel to maintain vigil during immersion of Ganesh idols this Anant Chaturdashi.
A force of over 50,000 cops will be deployed across the city who will be aided by around 5,000 CCTV cameras which will help in better surveillance. This year, a leading network service provider is assisting the police in drone surveillance for aerial patrolling of three prominent immersion spots — Juhu Chowpatty, Girgaum Chowpatty and Ganesh Ghat in Powai where lakhs of devotees are expected to attend visarjan festivities.
Other key spots like Shivaji Park, Badi Masjid in Bandra and Ashish Talao in Chembur will also be under drone vigilance, claimed the police.
Speaking about the security arrangements, Deputy Commissioner of Police, operations, Pranay Ashok said, "To handle the crowd and for better traffic management, a total of 3,002 police officers and 1,570 traffic wardens have been deployed. 53 roads have been blocked, 56 have been made one way, 18 roads prohibited for heavy vehicles and 99 areas have been declared as no parking zones."
"Meanwhile, Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) at Byculla, Arthur Road (Chinchpokli railway station), Currey Road and Juhu Tara have been declared dangerous by the Central Railway for movement of heavy vehicles as they cannot bear load more than 16 tonnes at one time. At major immersion points, direct control rooms have been set up and for the security of visitors in the procession, and many places have been barricaded," he added.
Before the 10 day-long festival, the police along with the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) had conduced series of briefing with the pandals to make them aware about suspicious materials and how to respond at times of emergency. At the police station, zonal and regional levels, meetings were held to plan everything well in advance.
The officials have emphasised more on the security of immersion processions for Lalbaugcha Raja and other famous Ganpati mandals like Ganesh Galli, GSB and Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani.
Apart from the local police force, additional troops from different units have been provided from the DG office. "Local Arm Police, State Reserve Police Force, Riot Control Police, BDDS, Rapid Action Force, Quick Response Team will be deployed and anti-sabotage checking shall be conducted at every important immersion point and the coastal police will patrol in their speed boats," added Ashok.
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 "Ganpati immerssion at Girgaon chowpatty")
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