Between 10,000 and 12,000 idols are expected to be taken out in a procession and immersed at different spots in the Tapi and the Arabian Sea on Friday. The past few years have shown that immersion begins around noon and continues well past midnight because of the large number of idols.

Added to this, the city police have decided to employ additional security forces to see off the festival peacefully. The extra bandobast has also been called in as violence broke out in Bhagatalav last week while the festival was on. The procession will pass through Rajmarg, on which the Bhagatalav area is situated.

Almost all the roads which have been closed for traffic on Friday are approach roads to Rajmarg from where processionists bring their idols onto the main thoroughfare.

The roads that will be closed for traffic on Friday include Rajmarg (Station to Chowk Bazaar), Galemandi to Pani NI Taaki (Darukhana Road), Galemandi Bhawaniwad Road, Kaskiwaad to Bhawani Mata Mandir, Ruwalla Tekra to Vegetable Market, Navsari Bazaat to Bhagal, Navapura to Parsi Sheri, Linear Bus Stand to Dangi Sheri, Saiyyedpura Pumping Station Road, Lal Gate approach road, Limda Sheri Road, Hope Pool approach road, Sagar Hotel Road and others.

As an alternative arrangement, people will be allowed on just two of the city's routes. The directive stated that people can use the Navsari Bazaar route to cross Rajmarg via Hanuman Mandir, Khapatia Chakla, below Chauta Pool, Nanavat and then to the SMC as well as the route joining Navsari Bazaar, Rajashri Cinema, Kailashnagar, Majura Gate and the overbridge. Ring Road has been closed for processionists.

However vehicles involved in essential services like postal services, the fire brigade, ambulance, etc will be allowed to use all the roads of the city on immersion day.

The police are, meanwhile, taking no chances. Beseides the 3,300-strong city police force, one company of SRPand 2 Rapid Action Force platoons are already in place since last week. Seven more companies and two SRP paltoons have been called in.

ACP (special branch) M B Pethani announced that in addition to these, 1750 Home Guards will also be stationed along the procession routes and sensitive areas of the city. In addition to the city police officials, seven DySP's, 25 inspectors, 65 sub-inspectors and 450 police constables will be called in for duty from elsewhere.

Besides all the police vehicles will be pressed into service, 62 other vehicles have been requisitioned. The police will also make use of 75 pairs of binoculars and six video cameras to monitor the processions throughout the day. Pethani said that the police will get tough with any person who attempts to disturb the law and order situation on immersion day.