Comprehensive security and traffic plan rolled out across Bhubaneswar for Durga Puja
Bhubaneswar authorities have put in place a detailed security, traffic and emergency-response arrangement for the ongoing Durga Puja festivities, police said on Monday. The plan includes categorisation of pandals, deployment of specialised rescue teams, plainclothes policing and strict checks on flyovers to curb dangerous behaviour.
Speaking to ANI, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Saravana Vivek M said around 200 pandals across the city have been approved and classified into three groups—A, B and C—based on expected footfall and the size of the mandap to ensure targeted deployment of resources.
"Around 200 pandals of various sizes have been approved. We have classified them into three different categories, A, B and C, based on the footfall strength and the size of the mandap. Our arrangement has also been made that way," DCP Saravana Vivek M told ANI.
The classification is aimed at matching police presence, crowd control measures and emergency cover to the likely demands at each site. The DCP said many pandals see devotees stay until midnight and some locations remain active up to 2 am; policing has been planned accordingly with officers and force in civil dress to keep a watch on snatching incidents and other crimes.
Special rescue teams, coordination with services
Underlining emergency preparedness, the city police have requisitioned eight Special Rescue Units in collaboration with the Odisha Fire Services and Home Guard Department. Each unit comprises trained personnel capable of advanced life support, evacuation and crowd management duties.
- Eight rescue teams stationed at strategic locations.
- Police personnel in civil dress to monitor snatching and security risks during late hours.
- Organisers asked to provide volunteers and briefed on safety protocols.
"So we are hoping that we will be able to manage this Puja festival smoothly," the DCP said, noting that volunteers provided by organisers have also been briefed by police on safety roles.
Traffic diversions and flyover checks
While full traffic-diversion maps were not supplied with the statement, the police indicated that specific arrangements are in force to manage the increased vehicular and pedestrian movement during visarjan and peak visiting hours. Officers have also directed teams to conduct strict checks on flyovers to curb dangerous reel-making and risky behaviour often recorded on social media platforms.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Approved pandals | Around 200 |
| Pandal categories | A, B, C (by footfall/size) |
| Special Rescue Units | 8 teams |
Practical advice for devotees and residents
Given the late-night activity at many pandals, residents and visitors should take simple precautions to reduce risk and ease management:
- Carry a mobile phone with emergency numbers saved and keep it charged.
- Use public parking or designated lots; avoid leaving valuables in vehicles.
- Follow directions of police and volunteers, especially near crowded mandaps and during visarjan.
- Do not attempt to climb flyovers or engage in risky filming; authorities are conducting checks to prevent such acts.
The DCP's briefing stressed cooperative roles for organisers, volunteers and citizens in maintaining a safe and smooth festival environment. Coordination between city police, Odisha Fire Services and Home Guard has been highlighted as central to the contingency planning.
Residents seeking specific traffic-diversion routes or emergency contact details should monitor official Bhubaneswar Police communications and local ward offices for real-time updates during the Durga Puja period.
Local context: With thousands visiting major pandals such as those at Jharpada and Laxmi Sagar in recent years, effective crowd and traffic management remains a priority for the city administration during large religious festivals. The current measures reflect a preventive approach combining policing, specialised rescue capability and community volunteers.
