It’s Battleground Mumbai

THE ARMY,NAVY and AIR FORCE are on alert. The Navy,Coast Guard and the marine wing of the Mumbai Police will patrol the sea-front. Ships and aircraft of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard are on patrol off the coasts of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Ships,fast attack craft (FAC),patrol vessels and fast interceptor craft (FIC) have been deployed in “layered defence” to interdict terrorists who may attempt to land on Indian shores,apart from the elite Marine Commandos and helicopters on standby,said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence. Additional check points have been set up and boat landing areas are being manned.

AT THE WANKHEDE, spectators will have to pass through a three-tier security cordon before entering. Mumbai Police’s 3,500 personnel will be deployed in and around the stadium along with five companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and 290 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel. They will conduct airport-style checking and frisking at eight entry points. National Security Guard,Force One and Quick Response Teams on standby at strategic locations. A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will be kept on standby. Fire brigade and multi-speciality ambulances on standby near Wankhede.

184 CCTV CAMERAS installed inside and outside Wankhede to be monitored closely on video wall at command centre inside the stadium. Special biometric swipe passes issued to all staff entering the stadium,including policemen. Antecedents of pass holders have been checked in advance.

THE ATS AND CRIME BRANCH have been given specific counter-terrorism tasks. Verification of foreign nationals coming to watch the game is being done and a close watch is being kept on anti-national and suspicious elements. Bulk SMSes are banned.

FOR SPECTATORS,there’s a list of dos and don’ts. All spectators should be inside the stadium by 5 pm,after which gates will be closed. Entry will begin at 11.30 am. Once a spectator leaves the stadium,he or she cannot re-enter. Those without tickets should not head to the stadium in hope of tickets as onlookers will not be allowed.

YOU CAN CARRY mobile phones,flags without sticks,wallets,purses,posters and banners. Don’t carry food and liquids — refreshments are available inside. Don’t carry bags,pouches and bottles. Cameras,binoculars,transistors,other electronic items,fireworks,cigarettes,bidi,tobacco and gutka not allowed inside.

GETTING THERE by public transport is advised. Parking space earmarked at various spots in south Mumbai,such as Nana Nani Park,outside Vidhan Bhavan,Cooperage Ground and CR2 Inox. BEST buses have been arranged from these spots towards Wankhede.

TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS in a 1-km radius of Wankhede Stadium,a no-vehicle zone starting Friday,could pose some inconvenience to locals. Residents have been given passes to permit their vehicles in and out. Others not headed to Wankhede have been advised to avoid Marine Drive. Convoy movements of the teams and for the Presidents of India and Sri Lanka have been arranged in detail.

RESIDENTS OF NEARBY AREAS are worried as moving out with vehicles will be complicated,especially if there’s an emergency. Chandresh Shah,President of the Residents’ Association of Marine Drive representing about 65 buildings in the area,said,“It becomes a big problem in case of emergencies,such as going to the hospital.” Noise pollution is another grouse. “There are a lot of senior citizens in the area and it causes health problems for them,” said 28-year-old Dipti Patel,another resident from Marine Drive.

FIFTY CIVIC WORKERS on duty round the clock,in shifts,will maintain cleanliness around the Wankhede and on routes leading to the nearby railway stations,where waste bins are a security threat. “We have deployed additional staff for waste management. Work will start from 6 am on Friday morning,” said S N Dhamane,local assistant municipal commissioner. The BMC will also keep its disaster control room operational and nearby government and civic-run hospitals will be ready to tackle any emergency.

THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE,home to both teams and visiting dignitaries,is off limits for all vehicles. Even tourists to the Gateway of India can’t get past barricades manned by policemen. Commandos and private security personnel stand guard outside,as even hotel guests will have to walk 100 metres to the grand glass entrance,bellboys carrying their bags in. Senior police officers deputed to monitor security at the hotel and tight arrangements made for movement of the players.

Wankhede a no-vehicle zone on Saturday Page 3

Special train and bus services after match Page 3