Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the deadly stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata that claimed 19 lives, Odisha Police has asked puja committees to introduce a queue-based darshan system and strengthen crowd management measures, particularly in Bhubaneswar and Kataka, officials said on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters here, Odisha in-charge DGP Vinaytosh Mishra said large crowds passing through narrow passages could trigger stampedes, prompting the police to direct puja organisers to make adequate arrangements for the safe movement of devotees.
“When a large crowd passes through a narrow passage, there is always a possibility of a stampede-like situation. So, we have asked the puja organising committees to make arrangements for ‘dhadi darshan’ at their pandals,” Mishra said.
Adequate police personnel and volunteers have been deployed at the entrance and exit gates of the pandals to regulate the movement of devotees, he said.
“We will ensure that a large number of people are not allowed inside the pandals at one time. If someone falls inside a pandal, entry will be closed,” the DGP said.
Mobile units, anti-snatching teams, anti-eve-teasing squads and a striking force have also been deployed at strategic locations to maintain law and order and prevent untoward incidents during the festivities, Mishra added.
The movement of four-wheelers has been restricted on narrow roads leading to the puja pandals to prevent congestion and facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles. Ambulances and fire service teams have also been deployed at the venues, he said.
Kataka-Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said puja committees were responsible for ensuring the safety of devotees at their respective venues, while the police were overseeing crowd management and providing security.
“It is the responsibility of the puja organising committees to ensure the safety of devotees at their pandals. We are regulating the arrangements and providing the necessary security,” Singh said.
Several meetings have been held with stakeholders, and all puja organisers have been asked to install CCTV cameras and deploy adequate volunteers to manage crowds, he said.
“We have issued guidelines for organising the puja. If any violation is found, strong action will be taken,” the police commissioner warned.
Singh also stressed the importance of implementing a queue-based darshan system to ensure the smooth movement of devotees and prevent overcrowding inside the pandals.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Central Range, Satyajit Naik, appealed to people to celebrate Durga Puja peacefully while maintaining discipline, harmony and mutual respect.
Emphasising the importance of maintaining law and order during the festival, Naik urged people to uphold Odisha’s cultural traditions and ensure that the celebrations remained peaceful and inclusive.
He said puja organisers should strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the administration and ensure that processions and immersion ceremonies were conducted in an orderly manner to safeguard public safety.
Naik also appealed to devotees, puja committees, organisers and volunteers to discharge their responsibilities sincerely and ensure that the celebrations did not cause inconvenience to others.
Warning against the spread of misinformation, he advised people not to believe or circulate messages, photographs and videos without verifying their authenticity. Unverified information and provocative social media posts could create confusion, fear and tension and disturb communal harmony, he cautioned.
The senior police officer also urged people to refrain from drunken driving, reckless driving, disorderly behaviour and other activities that could endanger public safety.
“The joy of the festival should not come at the cost of public peace, safety or the rights of others,” Naik said.
The heightened safety measures in Odisha come after a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening left at least 19 people dead and 25 others injured. The incident occurred following a surge in the crowd amid rain, highlighting the risks associated with overcrowding at major festive gatherings.
