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Wankhede stadium in South Mumbai where the finals of the ICC World Cup final would be hosted on Saturday, has become a virtual fortress due to a terror threat to the venue.
On the day of match, the venue and the surrounding area would be a “no flying zone,” as well as a no driving zone, and cars will not be allowed within one kilometre of the stadium.
Security has been increased manifold across the city, further affecting daily life and business for residents and small traders.
This is because the area is not just the venue for the final match, but also home to the Taj Mahal Palace, where both teams and officials are residing.
An official whose meeting at the hotel had been delayed by an hour said most invitees had to walk for over a kilometre due to a police barricade. However, with the city being witness to one of the most horrific terror attacks in the country, most citizens did not seem to mind the inconvenience caused by the heightened security arrangements. “Its tough, but its better to be safe,” said the official.
Mumbai police
In fact, Maharashtra's Home Minister, Mr R. R. Patil, said on Thursday that the security preparations for the match were being put in place for the past one month in view of the threat. About 3,000 personnel from Mumbai police, supported by personnel from National Security Guards, Central Industrial Security Force and Rapid Action Force would be stationed in and around the stadium, he said.
The Indian Navy, in a press statement, said the coastal security along the West coast had been stepped up since early March, in view of the final match. The Navy, along with the Coast Guard, Marine Police and other agencies responsible for the coastal security network, has accordingly heightened its state of alert. Its ships and aircraft are on continuous patrol off the coasts of Gujarat and Maharashtra, the release said.
Fast Attack Craft, Patrol vessels and Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) have been deployed in multiple layers, to thwart any attack from the sea.
Security has also been beefed up on shore with additional check points and manning of boat-landing areas. Coastal villages have been sensitised to report any untoward incident. Fishermen are actively contributing to the security setup by acting as the ‘eyes-and-ears' of security agencies, the release said.
Standby
Sufficient numbers of Navy's marine commandos, adequately supported by helicopters, are on standby for any eventuality, whether at sea or ashore, the release said.
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