Horse-mounted policemen from Mumbai are deployed at prominent beaches in the city to prevent overcrowding at Ganesh Visarjan points. This is the first major deployment of the Mounted Unit since its re-induction into the Mumbai Police after a gap of 88 years in January. Mumbai Police patrol in horses especially in places where a traditional police vehicle cannot enter like beaches. The 10 horse-mounted policemen in the city shall oversee the immersion process at Girgaum, Dadar and Juhu Chowpatty. They will make sure everything goes smoothing without overcrowding.
Mumbai Police Patrol On Horses To Ensure Ganesh Visarjan Goes Smoothly At Beaches
Additional Commissioner of Police (Local Arms) S Jayakumar stated to media houses on July 26 that the 10 horse-mounted policemen are deployed at t Girgaum, Dadar and Juhu Chowpatty. He further added, “They will oversee the immersion process and ensure it goes off smoothly and there is no crowding.” Mumbai Police even patrolled on segway fleets amid the lockdown.
The Mounted Unit stands useful in places where a traditional police vehicle faces difficulties to enter. At least 13 horses are inducted into the unit so far. The animals are kept at a temporary stable in Marol due to the lockdown. Jayakumar said “During the lockdown, there were no visible crowds on the roads, hence there was no specific need to use them [the Mounted Unit] for patrolling. Then the monsoon began. Eventually, we decided to use them for patrolling at the beaches during [Ganesh] immersion,”
Also Read: Randeep Hooda Teaches Horse Riding & Haryanvi Language To Kamiya Jani
Mumbai Police Acquired 13 Horses For Patrolling
Back in 1932, Bombay Police Commissioner Sir Patrick Kelly replaced police horses with patrol cars to assist smooth movement. But in 2018 Maharashtra DGP Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, submitted a proposal to acquire 30 horses for ₹1.5 crores. The state government sanctioned the proposal in March last year. They identified a 2.5-acre plot at Mumbai Police headquarters in Andheri East to build the stables. A total of 13 horses were acquired last including seven thoroughbreds. The horses were named Padmakosha, Shivalik Skies, Divine Solitaire, Beekwerk, Severus and Golden Orchid. There were also six Marwaris named Veer, Toophan, Shera, Chetak, Baadal and Bijli.
Also Read: 3 Quick Wine Getaways Near Mumbai To Visit After The Pandemic
The horses underwent rigorous training for four months for the Republic Parade last year. The police riders wore a Manish Malhotra designed blue sherwani with silver trimming, white breeches and turbans. When the Mumbai Police patrolled on horses at the promenade they became the centre of attraction. People even came forward to ask for photos and selfies with the policemen on horseback. Only a few trained policemen are assigned to these units. And this Ganesh Chaturthi indeed became even more special this year thanks to the policemen patrolling on horses. Meanwhile, let’s have a look at this divine Ganesha mandal in Mumbai.