Fortress Wankhede ready for World Cup

Indian cricket fans are hoping India do to Sri Lanka on Saturday at Wankhede, what they did to Pakistan at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium. Outside, anti-aircraft guns from the Air Force, Navy boats and commandos, the National Security Guards, Force One and city police will be on guard to ensure Mumbai's security dragnet is as foolproof as Mohali's.

The Indian Navy has increased vigilance along the coast. Captain Manohar Nambiar, chief public relations officer (defence) said, "Security along the west coast has been stepped up since early March in the run up to the World Cup final scheduled to be held on April 2 in the city." Though there is no specific threat, security agencies are not taking any chances as President Pratibha Patil and her Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa will be present at Wankhede, besides a host of Union ministers, Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and other leaders. All air and naval bases near Mumbai are on high alert. "Our ships and aircraft are on continuous patrol off the coasts of Gujarat and Maharashtra," said the Navy spokesperson.

Moreover, around 3,500 police personnel, assisted by 400 central paramilitary personnel will be deployed for the final, in addition to teams from the National Security Guard (NSG), Quick Response Team (QRT) and Force One, with elite Marine Commandos on the standby.

Wankhede has been declared a no-flying zone and no aircraft movement will be permitted around the stadium. "We have made the stadium a no-flying zone after a meeting with the concerned authorities,'' said Pavan Kumar Nagpal, regional director (western region), Airports Authority of India (AAI). Officials said no aircrafts will be permitted within 10-kilometre of the stadium. "Even microlights and paragliding activity has been prohibited,'' an airport official said. "South-bound flights from Mumbai will have to take a detour,'' he added.

"Fast Attack Craft, patrol vessels and Fast Interceptor Craft have been deployed in layered defence to secure Mumbai's shores," the Navy spokesperson said, adding, "Additional checkpoints have been set up along the coast to the man the boat landing area." The Navy has also enhanced surveillance and patrolling in and around the offshore development area. Nambiar said, "The coastal villages have also been sensitised to report any untoward incident."

Spectators will have to go through a multi-tier security check before entering the stadium. "Police personnel will be checking spectators outside the stadium, then one has to go through a barricade and while entering the stadium a ticket holder will again be frisked by CISF men," said police.

"We have reviewed the security and it is going to be the biggest bandobast for Mumbai. Along with the city police, the Coast Guard, Army, Navy and Air Force will be monitoring the situation," said city police commissioner Arup Patnaik. He added that policemen belonging to the Rapid Action Force will also be there along with the State Reserve Police Force. "Most of the tickets have been given to clubs and sponsors. Those who have not purchased tickets please don't come hoping to get tickets at the stadium. Watch the match from home or somewhere else," the commissioner appealed. While mobile phones and medicines will be allowed inside the stadium, water bottles, baggage, video cameras will not be allowed. Those who enter the stadium will not be allowed to go out during the match. "If someone goes outside during the match, he/she will not be allowed to re-enter," the commissioner said.

Crime branch chief Himanshu Roy said, "We are verifying antecedents of all foreign nationals and backgrounds of those who have purchased tickets. We are working in co-ordination with the anti-terrorism squad as well."

"Five companies of RAF, 290 CISF personnel and NSG teams will handle the situation. Our QRT and combat vehicles will be stationed outside the stadium. All of south Mumbai has been declared a no-fly zone for the day," added Patnaik.

His deputy, Rajnish Seth, in-charge of the city's law and order, said several rehearsals have been done for crowd control, evacuation etc. "All agencies are working in close coordination. CCTV cameras have been installed in and around the stadium. Except vehicles belonging to the President of India, President of Sri Lanka and the chief minister, no vehicle will be allowed in a radius of one km," Seth said.

The fire brigade and ambulances have been roped in while bunker points have been made in south Mumbai. Police have urged spectators to prefer public transport system. "All ticket holders will have to swipe their tickets to gain entry. We might close the gates after entry," added Seth.

Vivek Phansalkar, joint commissioner of traffic police said, "The Indian President is expected to reach Mumbai on Friday evening while the Lankan President will be coming on Saturday. In south Mumbai, the diversions will be at Haji Ali Junction and Worli Naka. There will be parking at several gymkhanas, Nana-Nani park, Cooperage ground etc."