The fervorously observed ten-day Ganesh festival is coming to an end on Friday, and processions for the immersion of the deity’s idols are being taken out. The authorities in Mumbai and other areas of the state have made extensive preparations for these processions.
The Lord Ganesha celebration has started on August 31. On Anant Chaturdashi, the idols of Lord Ganesh are transported to surrounding water sources and submerged to mark the end of the celebration. In large processions, worshippers immerse the idols.
For the immersion of idols and processions, the authorities in Mumbai, Pune, and other regions of the state have put extensive planning.
More than 20,000 police officers and other specialised units would be on duty in Mumbai. An official has stated that thousands of people are anticipated to participate in immersion processions around Mumbai during the celebrations this year, which were performed without consideration for the Covid-19 epidemic.
In addition to the 70 natural lakes and man-made ponds created by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the immersions would take place in Girgaon Chowpatty (beach), Shivaji Park, Bandra, Juhu, and Malad, he said.
One of the main locations for the immersion of well-known idols like Lalbaugcha Raja is Girgaon Chowpatty. The deployment includes more than 15,500 police officers, 3,200 police officers, 8 State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) companies, 1 Rapid Action Force (RAF) company, 750 house guards, 250 trainees, and a sizable posse of traffic police, according to the official.
In order to prevent any untoward incidents during the immersion processions and to preserve peace and order, he added, police officers will be on close surveillance across the city. People who wish to catch flights or long-distance trains must make the necessary arrangements since there will be traffic restrictions and a diversion in Mumbai on Friday, according to an official.
The 73 natural and 162 man-made waterbodies around the city provide facilities for the immersion of idols, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). There will be about 10,000 civic employees working, including authorities.
According to the BMC, 188 control centres have been set up across 24 civic wards for the Ganesh celebration, and 786 lifeguards will be stationed at various immersion spots. Additionally, 83 ambulances will be placed in strategic areas along with 188 first aid stations.
For the immersion of the Ganesh idols, the city council has also organised 45 motor boats and 39 German barges. Additionally, 48 inspection towers have been built, and barriers have been placed for safety, according to the announcement.
3,069 flood lights and 71 searchlights have been placed for enhanced visibility at immersion locations, and 211 reception rooms have been built for better coordination, it continued. According to a top official, more than 8,000 police officers would guard Pune’s streets for Ganesh idol immersions. Amitabh Gupta, the police commissioner for Pune, claimed that several locations across the city have CCTVs set for surveillance purposes, and numerous routes would have traffic limits and detours.
Nearly 3,000 registered Ganesh pandals will perform immersions; they are only permitted to play music till midnight, and all rules established by the Supreme Court must be scrupulously adhered to, he added.
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