Bhubaneswar Tightens Grip for Durga Puja: 3-Tier Security and Reel-Making Ban
Bhubaneswar police implement three-tier security, traffic diversions, and special rescue teams for Durga Puja to ensure devotee safety.
As the festive fervor of Durga Puja grips Bhubaneswar, the city police have rolled out a massive security and traffic blueprint to ensure the celebrations remain safe and seamless. From categorizing pandals based on crowd density to deploying elite rescue units, the administration is leaving nothing to chance to manage the influx of devotees.
Strategic Pandal Classification
To optimize the deployment of personnel, Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Saravana Vivek M revealed that approximately 200 approved pandals have been divided into three distinct categories: A, B, and C. This classification is based on the size of the mandap and the anticipated footfall.
Recognizing that crowds often peak late into the night—sometimes extending until 2 AM—the police have ensured that force and officers remain stationed at these sites. To combat street crimes like snatching, police personnel in civil dress have been deployed to blend in with the crowds, complemented by volunteers provided by the organizers.
Elite Rescue Units on Standby
Safety is being bolstered through a collaboration between the city police, the Odisha Fire Services, and the Home Guard Department. Eight Special Rescue Units have been strategically positioned across the city to handle potential emergencies.
Each unit consists of four members trained in:
- Advanced life support.
- Rapid evacuation during crowd surges.
- Emergency crowd management maneuvers.
These specialized teams have also briefed the regular police force on their maneuvers to ensure a coordinated response in case of any crisis.
Traffic Diversions and the 'Reel' Crackdown
Managing the surge of vehicles on the national highway has been a priority. To prevent bottlenecks where six-lane roads converge into four-lane bridges, police have diverted heavy vehicles toward suburban routes and available bypasses.
However, the police are facing a modern challenge: social media trends. DCP Saravana Vivek M issued a stern warning against citizens stopping their vehicles on flyovers to take selfies or record reels. Such actions are being flagged as dangerous, and the police have increased deployments on elevated roads to collect fines from violators.
Additionally, a strict no-parking policy is being enforced near mandaps to prevent congestion, with fines being imposed on those ignoring the warnings.
Visarjan and Ravan Podi Preparations
Looking ahead to the immersion ceremonies (Visarjan) and Ravan Podi scheduled for the 22nd, the police are working closely with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). To streamline the process, three specific locations have been designated for immersion.
The BMC has constructed temporary ponds for the idols, and the police have ensured that the temporary access roads leading to these sites are reinforced to handle the weight of the processions. Cranes will be stationed at these locations to assist in the immersion process, supported by a dedicated traffic route plan to keep the city moving.