Ambulance to be parked near sea during Ganesh immersion

Worried about the danger posed by sting rays during immersion of Ganesha idols in sea tomorrow, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will keep an ambulance stationed at Girgaum chowpatty to counter any eventuality.
"Our officials visited Girgaum chowpatty yesterday. There is no threat of sting rays now. Sting rays came at the sea-shore (earlier) due to change in climatic patterns," a senior BMC official said.
Last week, several devotees complained of being bitten by sting rays while immersing idols in the sea here.
"We have decided to deploy a cardiac van to treat people if they get bitten by sting ray or any suspicious thing and may have a heart related ailment," he said.

Children, in particular, would be asked to refrain from entering the waters, the official said.
"The cardiac van will comprise of paramedical staff of two doctors and two nurses," he said.

Ganesha mandals will not face difficulty in bidding adieu to their favourite deity, as roads from where immersion processions pass would be free of potholes, he assured.
"The BMC has done its duty to fill potholes on the roads where processions will take place," the official said.
About two lakh Ganesh idols from pandals and households would be immersed in sea and artificial ponds tomorrow during the conclusion of the ten-day Ganesh festival.

"Special arrangements have been made by the civic body wherein announcements would be made asking people to adopt caution while venturing in deep sea. 67 additional employees of 'D' ward have been deployed on special duty. They have also been given a red uniform, which will help people to identify them during any emergency," he said.
The BMC employees will also be armed with walkie talkies to address any emergency situation, he added.