A 'foolproof' plan to secure Lord Ganesh

In view of strong intelligence inputs of possible terror strikes, Mumbai police have drawn a "foolproof" security plan to maintain a hawk-eyed vigil for the widely celebrated Ganesh festival in Mumbai next month.

The festival will begin on September 9 and continue for 10 days.

"We have prepared a foolproof security plan but it will be more effective with the support of the public, who need to keep their eyes and ears open," said Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh after releasing Ganeshotsav organisers’ instructions manual on Monday.

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The manual, to be distributed among 6,000 Ganesh mandals, consists details of security measures and traffic arrangements during the festival, telephone numbers of various agencies, senior police officials and disaster control rooms.

Special security arrangements have been made for 'Lalbaugcha Raja' Ganesha idol, one of the most popular mandals attracting about 1-1.50 lakh devotees daily, he said.

Though the Mumbai police chief claimed there were no specific intelligence inputs on the possible terror attack, a top official said, "There are no specific but intense and serious inputs about the possible strikes during the festival. Terror threat is looming large on the metropolis."

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Additional Commissioner (special branch) Naval Bajaj said the department has already trained many Ganesh mandals on security measures to be adopted during the festival.

"If any mandal needs to know a slew of measures that should be taken during the festival or need training, they can approach us," he added.

Joint Police Commissioner (Traffic) Vivek Phansalkar said 50 roads will remain shut during the procession for immersion of large Ganesh idols on September 18 while 56 roads will have one-way traffic. "13 roads will be shut for heavy vehicles. 94 roads will be declared as no parking zones and there will be five police control rooms."

"Besides Mumbai police, 900 volunteers from NSS, 400 NCC men will be deployed across the city. About 37 watch towers will be installed to keep a watch on public movement at the beaches and on roads," he said.

Also, about 400 divers would be deployed at sea shores on the big idols immersion day. Contingents of Quick Response Teams, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad and additional forces of the State Reserve Police Force will also be on duty. 

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