Mumbai is gearing up for one of its biggest annual festivals, Ganeshotsav 2025, with more than 17,600 police personnel to be deployed from 27 August to 6 September. Authorities expect millions of devotees to gather at Mumbai’s Ganesh pandals during Ganeshotsav 2025, with the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja drawing daily footfalls in the hundreds of thousands.

To ensure safety, 36 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 51 Assistant Commissioners, 2,637 inspectors and sub-inspectors, and over 15,000 constables will be on duty across Mumbai.

The security plan will be bolstered by 12 companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Quick Response Teams, Riot Control Units, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads, dog squads, mounted police and drones. More than 11,000 CCTV cameras have been installed across sensitive locations.

Special focus has been given to idol immersion processions, with additional forces stationed at Girgaon Chowpatty, Juhu, Dadar, Versova, Marve and Powai lakes; all major Ganesh Visarjan sites in Mumbai. Watchtowers, public announcement systems, beat marshals and plainclothes officers will also be deployed to manage large crowds. Traffic restrictions and diversions have already been announced, with Mumbai Police urging citizens to cooperate and report any unattended items or suspicious objects.

This year, the 10-day festival begins with Ganesh Chaturthi on 27 August and culminates with Anant Chaturdashi on 6 September. Millions of devotees are expected to join processions across Mumbai, many walking for hours to witness the idol immersions at the city’s beaches and lakes. For residents, the festival is both a religious celebration and a major civic exercise, testing Mumbai’s ability to balance faith, tradition and urban order.