The 35 mandals classified as ‘A Grade’ ones owing to their popularity and the annual crowds have sought the extra security from the Mumbai Police. The issue is scheduled to be discussed at a meeting between Mumbai Police and the Ganesh mandals on Wednesday.

Naresh Dahibaonkar, vice-chairman of the BMC’s co-ordination committee for Ganeshotsav, said there are many popular Ganesh mandals which require additional security given the sensitive situation. “In these times of terror attacks, maximum precaution should be taken for security. Along with Lalbaugcha Raja, there are other mandals which should be given Z-plus security,” he said.

The Mumbai Police, however, is unlikely to have the manpower resources for such a task. Stating that bandobast is provided at places where there are large crowds on such occasions, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K L Prasad said: “Mandals like the one at Lalbaug spend lakhs on private security agencies and also share the responsibility of security. The other mandals should also share the responsibility and ensure that they also make provisions for private security agencies. The crowd at all the important and sensitive locations will be given good bandobast.”

Last year, the organisers at Lalbaugcha Raja spent Rs 30 lakh on security alone.