The Indian Express           03.09.2013

Civic body gears up to tackle double celebration

"On the Ganpati visarjan days of September 13 and 15, we will have emergency support functions as the crowd situation in Bandra is going to worsen. The functions include facilities for communication, fire-fighting and resource management," said civic disaster management cell chief Mahesh Narvekar.

Assistant municipal commissioner (H-West ward )P Satkale said, "We have formed two teams within the ward to deal with requisite permissions and licensing for both Bandra fair and Ganeshotsav. We have increased our public health and sanitation services and encroachment removal capacity. We are also holding coordination meetings with the Mumbai Police to prepare for law and order and traffic issues and contingency plans."

The H-West ward has also increased the frequency of bus services from the BEST undertaking. Two medical camps will be held, one at the Bandra Fair and the other near Ganpati festival venues to control the spread of diseases.

Additional vehicles and inspectors will be provided to remove unlicenced vendors in the area that may add to traffic issues.

"More garbage bins and garbage collection vehicles will also be employed to prevent the proliferation of diseases in the crowded zones. We have also held meetings with utility agencies to avoid trenching on the heavy traffic roads during the week," said Satkale.

Traffic police officers said a plan was being prepared for the convenience of motorists and commuters by setting up diversions for the nine days of the Ganpati festival and the Bandra Fair week, on roads that see heavy vehicular traffic.

"A plan has been prepared to ensure smooth vehicular traffic this Ganpati and also a special road plan for Bandra and neighbouring areas during the Bandra Fair," said DCP (traffic) Pratap Dighavkar.