Security beefed up for idol immersion

Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Rajnish Seth said the police have decided to ensure that there are no parked vehicles along immersion routes.

“Parked vehicles pose a security threat. Two-wheelers are also likely to be banned from the immersion routes. We have told all our officials to be on high-alert to ensure that no untoward incident takes place,” said Seth.

Seth also said that special bandobast has been planned for the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati. “The route that the Lalbaughcha Raja Ganpati takes is very different. A Deputy Commissioner of Police level officer will accompany the idol towards the immersion point,” said Seth.

The police have also installed Close Circuit Television cameras (CCTV’s) at all major immersion points. “We have installed CCTV cameras at all major immersion points,” said Seth.

Sixteen CCTV cameras have been installed at the Girgaum Chowpatty which sees the lion’s share of immersions. Dignitaries including Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan,Home Minister R R Patil ,Mayor Shraddha Jadhav and Municipal Commissioner Subodh Kumar are expected to visit Girgaum Chowpatty for the event.

Seth,however,said that devotees should also be vigilant during the festivities. “Devotees must ensure that they do not touch unclaimed objects. If they do see such bags or packages,they must inform the police immediately,” said Seth.

Seth also said that various arms of the police will be deployed. “We have already deployed officials of the local police,the State Reserve Police Force,the Rapid Action Force and other arms of our force. We have also kept the Quick Response Team of the police on standby. Officials in plain clothes will also keep an eye on suspicious elements,” said Seth.

Potholes to be filled by Sunday

Even as the civic administration had claimed on Friday that all pothole stretches will be filled by 6 pm on Saturday,civic officials admitted that in many stretches the work is incomplete and will be completed by Sunday morning. As many as 82 pothole locations were remaining to be repaired on Friday.

“The routes which we have checked have many potholes. We will be using steel plates as big as 150 sq feet this time so that the idols are not broken due to potholes,” said Girish Walavalkar,secretary of the Brihanmumbai Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti.

While all major sites will have an ambulance,a truck to collect nirmalaya,team of doctors,the Girgaum Chowpatty beach will have six ambulances. “We have installed mobile toilet facilities at various immersion sites,” said B P Patil,chief engineer,Solid Waste Management department. Over 1000 volunteers from colleges will be posted at various immersion sites to collect the nirmalaya.