'The association's 2,500 strong force of men and women volunteers will be helped by Mumbai Police to safeguard the venue from any potential threats. There will be hand-held and door-frame metal detectors, walkie-talkie sets to send and receive alerts,' Khankar said.

Lalbaugcha Raja depicts the Lord Ganesh sitting on a throne, and is one of the most revered and protected idols in the state, attracting an average 1.25 million devotees each day, the crowds swell during weekends, Gauri pooja and on the immersion day.

Presently there are around 8,000 registered Ganesh associations (mandals) in the city. Another 40,000 big and small Ganesh idols are installed in private housing complexes in Mumbai and Thane. Plus, there are an estimated 100,000 household idols in the city, making it the biggest, most opulent and highly popular festival of the state.

On its part, the Mumbai police are taking extreme precautions to safeguard the Ganesh festival all over the city, according to an official.

Wireless vans with GPS/GIS, CCTVs, metal detectors, high-speed internet, almost half the police force, State Reserve Police Force and Riot Protection Force are being deployed as part of the security operations during the 10-days festival in this megapolis. Other branches like Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad and dog squads will be kept on alert, the official said.

Besides the official efforts, almost all the associations have plans to deploy private security agencies.