By 3pm, a total of 2,452 idols had been immersed, comprising 2,311 household ones, 116 'saravajnaki' or public idols and 25 of goddess Gauri, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said

The official said that 919 of the 2,452 idols were immersed in artificial ponds set up by the civic body

The 919 idols comprise 898 household idols, nine 'sarvajanik' ones and 12 of goddess Gauri, the official added

The festival, which began with 'Ganesh Chaturthi' on September 19, concludes on the 'Anant Chaturdashi' on Thursday with the immersion of idols in the Arabian Sea and other water bodies in Mumbai

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police has taken comprehensive security measures to ensure a smooth and secure Lord Ganesha immersions in Mumbai. Under the vigilant guidance of the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, and the Special Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, a formidable security apparatus has been put in place, an official said on Wednesday

According to the police, the Mumbai Police has strategically deployed 8 Additional Commissioners of Police, 25 Deputy Commissioners of Police, along with 45 units from the Mumbai Police Force, constituting 2866 police officers and 16250 police enforcers, including Assistant Commissioners of Police. The security forces have been meticulously stationed at 73 major immersion sites across Mumbai, including prominent locations such as Girgaon, Dadar, Juhu, Marve, and Aksa beach areas, in addition to 162 artificial lakes

The police said, stringent law and order arrangements have been established at every immersion site, with constant surveillance through CCTV cameras at each dumping ground. Loudspeakers have been installed to facilitate communication and coordination at major immersion locations. A temporary control room equipped with the latest technology has been established to monitor and manage the security situation effectively

Mumbai Traffic Police has implemented comprehensive traffic control measures to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular movement during the festivities. These measures aim to minimize congestion and facilitate safe transportation, an official said

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, as many as 1,65,964 idols, including several household idols, 'sarvajanik' (public) ones and idols of Goddess Gauri, were immersed in various water bodies here including artificial ponds till the seventh day of the festival

Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Lalbaug and other major procession routes of Ganesh idols to bid farewell to the deity with heartfelt prayers and witness the vibrant processions being taken out with music, dance and sprinkling of 'gulal' (vermillion powder)