The BMC and Mumbai Police began preparations for the upcoming immersion of Lord Ganesha idols on Anant Chaturdashi. Pics/Ashish Raje
According to the BMC, under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal, along with the leadership of Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Ashwini Bhide, the BMC has mobilized approximately 10,000 employees and established a robust infrastructure, including 71 control rooms, to ensure the smooth conduct of the immersion process
Police personnel to be on security duty include 16,250 constables, 2,866 officers, 45 Assistant Commissioners of Police, 25 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 8 Additional Commissioners of Police and other senior officers, the official said
In addition, 35 platoons of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), a company of Rapid Action Force, Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and Home Guards will remain present at important locations in the city, an official said
Considering that a large number of Mumbaikars throng streets to bid adieu to Ganpati bappa on Anant Chaturdashi, Mumbai Police is ready with the deployment of personnel to avoid any kind of untoward incidents, the official added
Traffic Police personnel will ensure that traffic snarls are avoided when processions will be taken out, the official said
Thousands of household and public Ganesh idols will be immersed at 73 places, including at Girgaon Dadar, Juhu, Marve and Aksa beaches, on Anant Chaturdashi
Separate control rooms will be set up to monitor the immersion processions, the official added
This year, a total of 198 artificial immersion sites, complemented by 69 natural immersion points, have been set up across the city
The BMC's comprehensive preparations span over the past two months, with 468 steel plates strategically placed along the banks of Chowpatty and 46 German rafts deployed at various locations to facilitate the immersion of smaller Ganesha idols, thus preventing vehicles from getting stuck in the sand on the Chowpatty shore
For security and safety, 48 motorboats with 764 lifeguards have been stationed at Chowpatty, ensuring the well-being of devotees during the process. Furthermore, 282 vehicles, including 150 Nirmalya urns, have been arranged to collect offerings from devotees before immersion
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