Mumbai: More than 19,000 cops deployed on final day of Ganesh festival

More than 19000 police personnel have been deployed in Mumbai to thwart any untoward incident during processions to immerse idols of Lord Ganesh on the last day of the 10day Ganesh festival on Thursday according to officials reported news agency PTIIn Pune more than 7000 police personnel officers and home guards are deployed for the idol immersion processions the officials told PTIThe processions on Anant Chaturdashi the last day of the Ganesh festival continue for several hours as people flock the roads to bid adieu to Lord GaneshCitizens have been asked to avoid entering the sea during immersion and seek help from trained personnelThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC also appealed to people to stay away from dark or secluded areas during immersionThe BMC has posted 1337 lifeguards including 1035 at 69 natural water bodies and 302 at around 200 artificial ponds and arranged 53 motorboats at natural water bodies an official told PTI on WednesdayVarious Muslim organisations and religious leaders have decided to take out EideMilad processions on Friday instead of Thursday in view of Anant Chaturdashi on an appeal made by the policeIn Mumbai police personnel to be on security duty include 16250 constables 2866 officers 45 assistant commissioners of police 25 deputy commissioners of police eight additional commissioners of police and other senior officers an official told PTIIn addition 35 platoons of the State Reserve Police Force SRPF a company of the Rapid Action Force Quick Response Teams QRTs and home guards will remain present at important locations here he saidThousands of household and public Ganesh idols will be immersed at 73 places including at Girgaon Dadar Juhu Marve and Aksa beaches in the metropolisAll the processions in Mumbai will be closely monitored by CCTV cameras the official said adding that policemen in plain clothes will mingle in the crowd to ensure law and order is maintainedSeparate control rooms have been set up to monitor the immersion processions the official told PTIA total of 10000 civic employees have also been deployed in Mumbai and 250 control rooms including 72 at natural water bodies and 178 at artificial ponds have been set up to monitor the immersion of Ganesh idolsThe BMC has also placed 468 steel plates at various seafronts so that vehicles carrying idols do not get stuck in the sand Besides 46 German rafts are being arranged for immersion of huge idols in the seaA total of 242 inspection towers have been set up at natural water bodies and artificial points apart from the deployment of firefighting vehicles and trained manpower at the immersion spotsAlso 96 ambulances will remain parked at the immersion spots an official told PTIEarlier this week BMC said 68 welcome posts have been established at various locations at the immersion sites Besides 75 firstaid centres and 61 mobile clinics are also kept readyAround 1083 flood lights and 27 searchlights have been installed for effective illumination at the immersion points in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking BESTChanging rooms and 150 Nirmalya Kalash have also been put up at various spots the BMC saidIn Pune besides the deployment of police personnel Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads QRTs and dog squads are also stationed at various placesThere are 3865 Ganesh mandals in Pune while 614257 idols of Lord Ganesh were installed in the city householdsWith inputs from PTI