Mumbai cops gear up for Ganesh immersion

With terror threat lingering over the city, Mumbai Police have made elaborate security arrangements ahead of Ganesh idols' immersions.

Over 20,000 gun-totting and lathi-wielding security personnel including Quick Response Teams (QRTs), companies from Rapid Action Force (RAF) and State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) would be maintaining strict vigil during Ganesh idols' immersion as a large number of elephant god idols would be submerged at nearly 105 spots on Wednesday.

"Though there are no specific input about possible terror strike here, we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure an incident-free celebrations," Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjeev Dayal said.

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On September 10, Mumbai police released photographs of two terror suspects -- Kalimuddin Khan alias Rameshwar Pandit (28) and Hafij Khijir Ulla Sarif (25) -- had sneaked into the metropolis to cause disruption at crowded places and religious congregations.

"We have no further development in this regard but we are maintaining a vigil, presuming that they may be around us," Dayal added.

Deputy Police Commissioner (Operations) Rajkumar Vhatkar said that the security arrangements would continue till Friday when the Allahabad High court would pronounce verdict on Ayodhya title case.

Vehicular traffic will be closed on 24 roads, including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Marg, Ranade Road, Shivaji Park Road No 3 and 4 and Adi Shankarachrya Marg.

Forty-seven roads, including P D'Mello, Walkeshwar road, Dr Annie Beasant road, N M Joshi Marg, Tilak road and Juhu road will have one way traffic.

Heavy traffic movement like trucks will be banned on 10 roads and 40 roads will have parking restrictions, police said.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Vivek Phansalkar said, "This year, there are nearly 105 spots where the immersions would take place. We have arranged floodlights and watchtowers at over 30 spots including Girgaum chowpatty, Juhu, Bandra and Shivaji Park."

"We have around 300 people from the Scouts and Guides organisation, 600 NSS persons, 1000 NCC cadets and around 100 traffic wardens to assist us with managing traffic.

Seventy ambulances would be deployed throughout the city to take care of injuries or any other mishaps that might take place during the immersions," he added.

Several CCTVs have also been installed to keep an eye on the public movement and traffic during immersions.

Meanwhile, DCP Vhatkar said that notices under section 149 of Cr PC would be issued to troublemakers irrespective of the fact whether they are associated with any political party or organisation.