Police beef up security as Ganesh festival begins tomorrow

MUMBAI: In view of intelligence inputs of possible terror strikes, Mumbai Police has drawn an extensive security plan to maintain a hawk-eyed vigil for the Ganesh festival beginning tomorrow.

Police have also started an initiative - "Mumbai Ke Liye 1 Minute" - which appeals citizens to take out one minute to look around if they spot a suspicious person, object or vehicle and call on helpline number 100 or 022-22633333.

"We have prepared a tight security plan but it will be more effective with the support of the public, who need to keep their eyes and ears open," Joint Police Commissioner (Law & Order) Sadanand Date said today.

Last month, the police had also distributed manuals among 6,000 Ganesh pandal organisers listing details of security measures and traffic arrangements during the festival, telephone numbers of various agencies, senior police officials and disaster control rooms.

Special security arrangements have been made for 'Lalbaugcha Raja' Ganesha idol, one of the most popular mandals attracting about 1-1.50 lakh devotees daily, he said.

Nearly 100 police officers, about 1,000 security personnel and three paramilitary contingents will be specially deployed for the security of Lalbaugcha Raja.

Though Date claimed that there were no specific intelligence inputs on possible terror attack, another official stated, "Whatever inputs we have are serious in nature and cannot be ignored. Terror threat is looming large on the metropolis."