After studying the various bottlenecks that impede the immersion process the authorities have identified a spot near the Omkareshwar Temple as one of the new immersion ghat for processions coming from Kelkar Road. As per the new plan the procession will approach the temple from Takle Haveli Chowk via the Rambaug School.

Similarly two more points have been identified near the S M Joshi bridge for mandals coming from either side of the bridge. Those from Tilak Road will approach the ghat from Alka Talkies while mandals coming from Karve Road will turn into the road behind Garware College and descend to the ghats on the opposite side.

While a number of mandals would go to the ghat near behind Natraj Talkies, a new point has been established at Pulachiwadi while mandals moving toward the old immersion ghat will be diverted via Good Luck Chowk.

In a shift from the tradition, organisers of the five manache Ganpatis have agreed to start their procession at 12 noon after the other mandals start their processions in the morning. This decision was taken after several meetings were held between police officials and the organisers and it was agreed that this would help prevent chronic congestion on the roads on that day.

As a result the procession on Tilak Road will be the first one to be flagged off at 9 am. At 9.30 am the procession at Kelkar Road will start while on Kumthekar Road the procession will begin at 10 am. All the processions will be flagged off by Mayor Datta Gaikwad.

This year the city police have also hit upon a novel idea of adopting the A-category mandals. ``We intend to post one constable with every mandal,'' said Chavan, ``so that they can acquaint the mandals with the rules of registration, reduce noise pollution by maintaining decibel levels and also increase cooperation between police and the public.''

As a part of the security measures for the festival, the police are continuing with the measures that they had implemented for the election with a few additions. The police will deploy four companies of the State Reserve Police Force along with 1,000 home guards to beef up the police bandobast.

During the festival the police will deploy nine deputy commissioners of police, 17 assistant commissioners of police, 45 police inspectors, 141 police sub inspectors, and 2,062 police constables. The police have also taken care to deploy six mobile anti-eve-teasing units that will also be equipped with wireless sets and will be headed by a lady PSI.

This year the police have set up 57 fixed points in sensitive areas which n turn have been classified into A and B points depending on their sensitivity. ``This is identified on the basis whether the areas have potential for trouble whether communal or any other anti social elements,'' Chavan pointed out. A-category fixed points will have four constables manning it while B-category ones will have two constables.

Two additional vehicles are also being provided to every police station to supplement their fleet to cut down on reaction time when an offence is reported. The police have also set up 12 watchtowers in crowded areas to improve security. Meanwhile three teams have been set for investigate serious crimes to lessen the burden on the police personnel who will be burdened with the bandobast.

The police have also appealed to the various mandals to ensure that all loudspeakers are switched off before midnight and have started enforcing the same.