World Cup security surpassed that for Obama visit: Official

Mumbai: The multi-agency security deployed for the cricket World Cup final was "unprecedented" in the history of Mumbai, surpassing even the stringent cover during US President Barack Obama's two-day visit last year, a top official said Tuesday.

"The multi-tier security was necessitated in view of the huge number of VVIPs, including Indian President Pratibha Patil, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, top Indian leaders, businessmen, film personalities, foreigners and others (who witnessed the final)," a home department official, who declined to be identified, told IANS.

For the first time, high-tech gadgetry, including radars to track down any aerial objects, was deployed and anti-aircraft guns were installed at "several strategic locations" in the city.

Over 6,000 police personnel, uniformed and in civil dress, were stationed in and around the Wankhede Stadium area, outside Churchgate station, to secure the 33,000-strong crowd of spectators inside during the India-Sri Lanka final Saturday that the hosts won.

"We had to prove to the world that we are capable of organising any international event safely and securely, whether they involve huge crowds or not," the official said.

Besides, additional forces were deployed on the route to Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel south of the stadium, where the Indian and Sri Lankan teams were staying.

Similarly, massive security was in place towards the northwest on Malabar Hill where the Raj Bhavan is located and where President Patil stayed.

The Malabar Hill neighbourhood is also home to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, several ministers, high court judges, top central and state bureaucrats, diplomatic corps stationed in Mumbai, top executives of Indian and foreign companies, Indian scientists, a few Bollywood actors and other prominent personalites.

For the massive security operation, the Mumbai police was aided by Maharashtra Police, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, National Security Guard, Force One, Quick Response Teams, Central Industrial Security Force, State Reserve Police Force and the Central Reserve Police Force, besides several state and central intelligence agencies.

The sea routes were particularly secured as the memory of the 10 Pakistani terrorists who sneaked in from the Arabian Sea Nov 26, 2008 and unleashed mayhem on the city for the next 60 hours taking 166 lives is still fresh in the minds of the security apparatus.

The security set-up earned lavish praise from union Minister of State for Home Gurudas Kamat and Chavan, besides the people of Mumbai as the day ended with India bagging the World Cup.

Some elements of the security structure had been put in place a week before the final. This was tightened three days before the event and continued for a day after.