Cops to deploy seven drones to ensure smooth Ganpati festival

The Mumbai police will use seven drones to monitor traffic and handle security during the Ganpati festival this year. On Wednesday, the Mumbai police announced that drones would be used to ensure security from Day one to Day 11 of the festival, unlike last year, when they were used only on the last day. The police expects a total force of 25,000 to be deployed on the streets during the festival and the weekly offs of police officials have been cancelled for the same.

There are a total 7,000 Sarvajanik Ganesh mandals in the city, besides around one and a half lakh private homes that will take Ganpati idols to the visarjan during the festival.

To ensure the festival takes places smoothly, the anti–terrorist squad will also monitor the city. Members of the bomb squad and Force One, an elite commando force that is a specialised counter terrorism unit, will also patrol the city. A special police force will also join forces with other security personnel to secure the city.

A 14,000-strong traffic personnel will patrol the streets during all 11-day festival to monitor the roads. The number of watchtowers will be increased where needed. CCTV cameras will be installed in some areas where they are not yet in place. To make manning traffic easier, around 49 roads will be closed during the festival, 55 roads will be made one-way and on 14 roads big vehicles will be prohibited.