The 10-day Ganesh Festival comes to an end today on Anant Chaturthi and Mumbai is in top gear to bid good bye to its beloved god. At least 37 watch towers have been erected at the major immersion spots across the city with the main control room being set up at Girgaum Chowpatty.

Heavy security has been deployed across the city to ensure that the immersion is carried out peacefully. Navy and the Coast Guard will by keep a watch on the beaches.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will post 88 lifeguards on beaches in addition to those appointed by the traffic police. The BMC has also built 22 artificial ponds for immersion. According to civic officials, around 8,500 ganesh idols from sarvajanik mandals will be immersed today.

The traffic police have planned to close 37 roads from 12 pm today to 6 am on Sunday. Vehicular traffic will be diverted through alternate routes to avoid traffic blockages. This is the first time, the traffic website will regularly update movements on various roads during the event. Several CCTVs have been installed to keep an eye on public movement and traffic during the immersions.

Meanwhile in Andhra Pradesh, elaborate arrangements have been made for the Genash Immersion to be held in Hyderabad today. Following the nine day festivities, thousands of Ganesh idols will be taken for immersion in a colourful procession to the Hussain Sagar, located at the heart of the city.

Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi said about 20,000 idols will be brought for immersion. The City Police and Municipal Authorities have made elaborate arrangements for early completion of the process. About 500 cranes have been kept ready on the banks of the lake to help the immersion of the Ganesh idols of huze size.

Besides setting up over 50 watch towers with advanced surveillance systems, about 20 thousand police personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful immersion.