Police release comprehensive safety directives ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi
Belagavi — The District Police has issued a set of special guidelines to ensure that Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and immersion processions in the city are conducted with devotion, discipline and public safety, officials said on Saturday. The directives, published on 12 September 2026, set out responsibilities for Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandals and household organisers and impose specific restrictions for processions.
Among the measures, the police have directed that volunteers be present at pandals round the clock and that organisers install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to monitor activities. The authorities have also emphasised adequate arrangements for crowd management and public health and safety during the festival period.
"All Ganesh Utsav Mandals must ensure that volunteers are available at the pandals round the clock, install CCTV cameras and make adequate arrangements for crowd management," Police Commissioner Prakash Nikam said, according to the advisory.
Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan said the preparations were made in order to ensure that celebrations and immersion processions are held without compromising public health, safety and communal harmony. The advisory also specifically banned the use of laser lights during processions and underlined the need for mandals to commence idol immersion processions on time.
- 24-hour volunteer presence at pandals to assist crowd control and emergency response.
- CCTV installation at pandals to enhance surveillance and incident management.
- Crowd management arrangements including marshals and clear entry/exit routes.
- Ban on laser lights during processions for safety and public order reasons.
- Timely commencement of immersion processions to avoid congestion and facilitate traffic management.
Implementation and local implications
The advisory places clear onus on public Ganesh mandals and household organisers to adhere to the directions. For Belagavi, where large processions and crowded pandals are integral to the festival, the measures are intended to reduce risk during peak gatherings. The instruction to install CCTV cameras will require mandals to either deploy temporary surveillance systems or coordinate with local authorities for monitoring.
Mandals that typically organise evening processions have been told to avoid practices deemed hazardous; the specific prohibition on laser lights aims to prevent visual hazards that could disrupt motorists, cause panic in dense crowds or interfere with aviation and emergency services if used indiscriminately. The requirement that immersion processions start on time is aimed at avoiding prolonged obstruction of roads and facilitating smoother coordination with traffic and civic agencies.
| Directive | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 24-hour volunteers at pandals | Continuous monitoring and rapid response to incidents |
| CCTV cameras | Enhanced surveillance and evidence collection |
| Ban on laser lights | Reduce safety hazards during processions |
| Timely immersion processions | Manage traffic and minimise congestion |
Officials have framed these measures as necessary not only for law and order but also to safeguard public health. With community pandals drawing families and large crowds, the police advisory calls for disciplined celebrations to preserve communal harmony during the festival period.
Local mandals and community leaders will need to quickly assess available resources — volunteers, temporary cameras and crowd marshals — to meet the requirements ahead of immersion activities. Coordination with the police and civic bodies will be essential to implement traffic diversions and first-aid arrangements during processions and at immersion sites.
The police statement underscores that the guidelines are part of wider preparatory work: the District Police said it had made all necessary arrangements to ensure that the religious festivities proceed peacefully and safely. Residents and mandals are expected to co-operate with enforcement agencies as the city observes Ganesh Chaturthi.
