Mumbai, April 1
The final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be played at the Wankhede Stadium amidst tight security on Saturday. A massive three-tier security cover has been put in place to maintain vigil over land, air and water.

Apart from more than 5,000 policemen, contingents of the National Security Guard, Rapid Action Force, Army, Navy and the Air Force have been deployed in and around the stadium.

With a large number of dignitaries, including President Pratibha Patil and Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa, expected to be present in the stadium tomorrow, the Centre has directed the state government to take extra precautionary measures to foil any attempt by terrorists to disturb peace during the game.

Acting on intelligence inputs, the Home Ministry also sent an Additional Secretary to Mumbai to take stock of the security arrangement there, sources said.

Home Minister P Chidambaram also said all necessary steps have been taken to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the summit clash.

Sources said as per the security plans, anti-aircraft guns have been strategically put in place and around 400 Central paramilitary personnel will assist the Mumbai Police to ensure foolproof security.

All air bases near Mumbai, the Navy and the Coast Guard have been put on high alert to ensure security in the air and sea during tomorrow's match, which is also expected to be watched by a host of Union Ministers, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan and other leaders.

Quick Reaction Teams and women personnel of CRPF would be stationed at vital locations in and around the stadium to respond to any exigency.

Home Ministry officials are in constant touch with the Mumbai Police and the Maharashtra government.

Briefing reporters about the security arrangements, Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik said the stadium has been turned into a no-fly and no vehicle zone.

A spokesman for the Indian Navy said that naval patrol boats will man specially created checkpoints at sea. Wankhede stadium is a stone's throw from Cuffe Parade where LeT terrorists had landed for the Mumbai attacks. Spectators will have to go through several tiers of security before being allowed inside, Patnaik said. The police have advised ticket-holders to arrive at least four hours before the match.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police has taken the charge of the stadium, a senior police official said. “Though the security arrangements were being put in place for a few days, we have taken the charge of the entire stadium today,” Deputy Police Commissioner (Operation) Rajkumar Vhatkar said today. This means not a single person can come inside without the permission of police, said another official. "Even if any high profile person or dignitary is coming to the ground, police should be informed about it first," the official said. (With PTI inputs)