Vasai-Virar deploys 6,500 police, staff for Ganesh idol immersion

After twelve days of devout worship, the time has come to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha in Vasai-Virar. To ensure the immersion processions taken out across the city on Anant Chaturdashi pass off smoothly and peacefully, the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation and the Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar Police Commissionerate have stepped up preparations. More than four thousand civic staff and over two thousand five hundred police personnel, a combined force of six thousand five hundred people, have been deployed across the city. The aim of deploying such a large number of staff and police on the streets is to ensure that no untoward incident occurs during the processions and that the immersion process is completed without any hindrance.

Giving priority to eco-friendly immersion, the civic body has this year set up 128 artificial ponds and 18 mobile tanks in the city, besides arranging conveyor belts at two quarry sites. This will help prevent pollution of natural water bodies and give devotees a nearby immersion facility. Rafts and boats have been kept ready at six major jetties so that large idols can be immersed safely. A special feature this year is the launch of a "ro-ro" service at the Vasai and Virar Marambalpada jetties, where civic staff will be present to assist devotees. Nirmalya collection urns have been placed at various spots to prevent water at the immersion ghats from getting fouled and to check water pollution.

To help devotees easily find the exact location of immersion sites, the administration has provided a QR code facility so that devotees can reach the nearest immersion spot with ease. Fire brigade personnel, lifeguards, life jackets, rescue boats and CCTV cameras will be used to keep close watch over the immersion sites, additional commissioner Sanjay Herwade said.

Plainclothes police teams will patrol to prevent theft or the harassment of women taking advantage of the crowds during the processions. Separate teams have been assigned to watch for rule violations and noise pollution. Mandals have been urged to time their immersions according to tidal timings and keep to the scheduled hours, and to observe restrictions placed on heavy vehicles to prevent traffic congestion, additional police commissioner Sanjay Shintre said.

A total of 5,973 Ganesh idols, comprising 643 public and 5,330 household idols, will be immersed within the commissionerate's jurisdiction. To maintain law and order, 6 deputy commissioners of police, 9 assistant commissioners of police, 204 officers, 1,381 constables, 300 home guards and 192 personnel of the Maharashtra Security Force will be deployed on the streets. In addition, 3 platoons of the State Reserve Police Force, 1 platoon of the Riot Control Police and 2 striking forces have also been deployed. With this large deployment of manpower, the Vasai-Virar police commissionerate has resolved to conduct this year's Ganesh immersion processions without any hindrance.