Extensive security arrangements have been put in place to ensure peaceful conduct of the Ganesh immersion procession tomorrow with nearly 47,000 strong Mumbai Police, accompanied by contingents of paramilitary forces, keeping a hawk-eye across the
Thousands gather to bid farewell to the idol of Lord Ganesha at the famous Lalbaug area in Mumbai.
An idol of the Lord Ganesha sitting on a tiger is prepared to be immersed on the last day of the festival.
Every year millions of devout Hindus immerse Ganesh idols into oceans and rivers during the ten-day long festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha.
People take pictures as devotees bring a large statue of the Hindu god Ganesha to immerse it in the Arabian Sea on the final day of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai.
Vighnaharta, literally, means the one who removes all obstacles. It is for the same reason that many religions start a new project with His prayers. (Photo: AP)
Devotees pull ropes as they bring a large statue of the elephant-headed Ganesha, also called as Vighnaharta, to immerse it in the Arabian Sea on the final day of the festival in Mumbai. (Photo: AP)
Devotees immerse a Ganesh idol in a canal on the last day of Ganesh festival in Shirdi. (Photo: PTI)
Immersion processions were carried out through the Mozamjahi Market in Hyderabad that saw seas of devotees to bid farewell to the God. (Photo: AP)
Another idol in Hyderabad was decorated with fruits as devotees carried the idol for immersion at Hussain Sagar Lake. (Photo: AP)
Devotees take statues of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha in a procession past the Charminar monument before immersing them in the Hussain Sagar Lake on the final day of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in Hyderabad. (Photos: AP)
The civic body has also deployed 172 dumpers and 64 watch towers and 278 CCTVs.
As many as 404 lifeguards will be stationed by the city's civic body, along with 67 first-aid teams and 55 ambulances in case of emergencies.
There are as many as 72 immersion points and 27 artificial immersion places across the city.
They have also erected 37 watch towers across the city to regulate traffic and monitor the processions.
Police have set up five traffic control rooms at Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park Chowpatty, near Bada Masjid in Bandra, Juhu Chowpatty and Powai.
Parking will not be allowed on 95 roads during the day, police said.
The city traffic, police announced that a total 49 roads will be closed to vehicular traffic while only one way will be allowed on 55 roads and heavy vehicles will not be allowed on another 13 roads.
About 10 per cent of policemen were specially tasked to keep a watch on eve-teasers, anti-social elements, he said, adding, "Over 10,000 volunteers with from NGOs, NSC and NCC cadets will be seen rendering their services during the immersion."
Sniffer dogs on the procession route will assist them since morning tomorrow, the 11th day of the festival, the DCP said.
Bomb detection teams will also carry out anti-sabotage checks.
Around 6,000 idols that were installed in public places are expected to be drawn to various immersion points at the sea, along with a few more thousand at other water bodies across the city during the crowded processions that will last till the dawn
Beside city police, personnel drawn from Quick Response Teams, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad, State Reserve Police Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Rapid Action Force have also been deployed to oversee the tight security across the city.