Alert Mumbai keeps an eye on Ganesh pandals

In the wake of the Delhi blast, the state home department has directed the Mumbai police to install CCTVs and wireless cameras in areas where the Ganesh festival is being celebrated.

It has also been asked to procure CCTV systems on rent for areas where existing security measures are falling short.  Ganesh mandals and devotees have also have been asked to be alert during the immersion on Sunday.

Soon after  news of the Delhi blast broke, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan convened a high power meeting with the home minister and key officials from the home department on Wednesday. While taking  stock of the preparedness, Chavan asked the police department to beef up security at courts in the city. Later, during the press conference, he added that the project for the installation of  CCTV surveillance has been expedited.

“Cisco has been shortlisted for the pilot CCTV installation project and the work is expected to be started soon,” Chavan said. “A team of officials from the home department will soon visit London to study the CCTV setup installed by Scotland Yard.”

Chavan said that all the guardian ministers have been asked to rush to their respective districts and monitor the security situation during the Ganesh festival.

Home minister RR Patil said that he suspects that courts where bomb blast-related cases are ongoing are being targeted by terrorist groups.  He stated that all sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandals have been asked to install CCTV cameras. “Devotees too have been requested to not carry bags or other objects to the pandal during darshan,” he said.