Mumbai: Drones to help monitor traffic, ensure security during Ganpati festival

Ganpati Immersion Procession at Lalbaug. Express photo by Prashant Nadkar

Mumbai Police on Wednesday announced that drones will be used to ensure security at immersion points during the Ganpati festival in the city. “Last year’s feed will be used for traffic security protocol,” the police said during a press meet on security arrangements during the festival. The Joint Commissioner of traffic police added that more ‘fan fare’ was expected this year because of municipal elections. “This will require bigger management of traffic,” he said.

A strong force comprising of 14,000 personnel will patrol the streets during the 11-day festival period to monitor the roads. “Watch towers are placed on all the routes. South Mumbai and Central Mumbai CCTV cameras are already looped with the central control room,” said Mumbai Police.

In addition, to ensure enhanced security arrangement of pandals/mandals, their individual security feeds have also been looped with the police control room. To avoid any incidences of jaywalking on the streets like ‘Lalbagh’, special barricading will be installed.

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Mumbai Police is expecting a total force of 25,000 will be employed on streets, control hubs, among other facilities, till culmination of festivities.

The Ganpani festival is celebrated with gaiety throughout the port city and attracts thousands of people from other parts of the country and across the world.