Mumbai on High Alert During Ganesh Visarjan

Mumbai police went into high alert on September 5, 2025 as the Ganeshotsav festival neared its end. A chilling WhatsApp message to the city’s traffic control said dozens of blasts were planned. The threat claimed “34 human bombs” had been planted in 34 vehicles across Mumbai, and that 400 kg of the explosive RDX would be used.  It even named the shadowy group “Lashkar-e-Jihadi” and said 14 Pakistani terrorists had entered India for the attack.  In the message, the blast was said to be powerful enough to “shake entire Mumbai” and kill millions.

The alarm was taken very seriously. Mumbai Traffic Police confirmed they had received the threat on their official helpline number.  Immediately, the Crime Branch and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) launched an investigation.  Top officials warned the public not to spread rumors, and urged everyone to remain calm and trust only official updates.

Key details of the threat

Who sent it: The caller claimed to be from “Lashkar-e-Jihadi” (a Pakistan-based terror group).

What it said: It warned of 34 “human bombs” in 34 vehicles spread across the city.

Explosives: It claimed 400 kg of RDX explosive would go off, enough to cause massive destruction.

Terrorists: It named 14 Pakistani terrorists as the attackers.

All of these claims were repeated in multiple news reports. For safety, police treated the message as credible until proven otherwise.

Police and safety measures

Mumbai’s police sprang into action.  They set up special checks and patrols citywide to stop any suspicious activity. At key Ganesh visarjan spots and busy streets, thousands of officers – including additional police, State Reserve Police (SRPF) companies, Central Armed Police Force units, and bomb disposal teams – were deployed.  Over 21,000 personnel were on duty for the festival finale, backed by riot squads and quick-response teams. Even women police stood guard at major immersion points.

Advanced technology was also used. The city’s 10,000+ CCTV cameras and new AI tools monitored crowd movements. Drones were on alert too (though actually banned near the water for safety).  Police checked everything from parking lots to basements, leaving no area untouched.  In a press briefing, a senior officer said, “Our security forces can handle any threat. We are taking all preventive actions and security measures,” confirming that every precaution was in place.

Special units on duty: Crime Branch, ATS and bomb squads are all investigating the message.

Extra patrols: Checkpoints and mobile teams combed through busy neighborhoods and near processions.

Tech monitoring: Tens of thousands of CCTV cameras watched the roads, and AI helped track unusual crowd behavior.

Public alerts: Police appealed to citizens to stay vigilant, stay calm, and report anything odd immediately.

Increased security on the streets: Police and special units were deployed at major Ganesh Visarjan sites in Mumbai.

Public reaction and reassurance

Despite the scare, Mumbai’s residents largely carried on with the Ganesh festival. Devotees continued to visit Ganesh pandals and temples as usual. For example, a Hindustan Times report noted that a large number of worshippers visited the famous Lalbaugcha Raja pandal on Friday morning for Ganesh Chaturthi prayers. Many people said they trusted the police to keep them safe and continued with their celebrations.

Authorities repeatedly assured the public that everything was under control. Police and city officials emphasized that no one should panic or spread unverified news. One senior officer told reporters, “Our security forces can handle any threat”.  In press releases and social media, police urged citizens to rely only on official information and to report any suspicious activity.  In short, people were asked to stay calm and stay aware.

Devotees stayed calm and kept faith: Many Mumbaikars continued to pray and take part in Ganesh Visarjan rituals, trusting the police to handle the threat.

Similar past incidents

Bomb scares are not new to Mumbai. In fact, there have been several recent hoaxes in the city and elsewhere in India. For example, in July 2025 the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) received an email claiming “4 RDX IED bombs” had been planted in its building. This prompted an immediate security search, but no explosives were found.  The police later found the threat was a hoax sent from a fake email ID.

Similarly, Mumbai’s airport faced a bomb threat in May 2025. A caller claimed an attack was planned, but after hours of searching no bombs were discovered. In that case, the police traced and arrested a suspect who turned out to be making a false call.  These examples show that authorities must treat each new threat seriously, even if it turns out to be a prank.

Conclusion: Stay Alert and Safe

Mumbai police have a strong security plan for Ganesh Visarjan and are working round-the-clock to keep everyone safe. The key message to the public is: stay calm, enjoy the festival, but stay alert. Always follow official instructions and check verified news sources. If you see anything unusual, report it to the police immediately. By staying informed and cautious, Mumbaikars can help each other celebrate safely.