Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar police have intensified surveillance on flyovers during the ongoing Durga Puja festivities, warning commuters against stopping vehicles to take selfies, click photographs or make reels, as part of a wider security and traffic management plan covering around 200 puja pandals across the city.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Saravana Vivek M said special police deployments had been made on flyovers to prevent dangerous activities, while fines were being imposed on those violating traffic regulations.
“People are stopping their vehicles on flyovers to take photographs, selfies and make reels, which is quite dangerous. We have made special deployments at these locations and are taking action against violators,” the DCP said while briefing the media on Monday.
The police have also appealed to the public not to park vehicles near puja pandals or in designated no-parking zones. Enforcement has been stepped up to ensure smooth traffic movement and prevent congestion around major pandals, particularly during peak visiting hours.
As part of the security arrangements, around 200 puja pandals across Bhubaneswar have been classified into three categories—A, B and C—based on their size and anticipated footfall. The categorisation will help the police deploy personnel according to crowd strength and local requirements.
DCP Saravana Vivek M said devotees continued to visit several pandals until midnight, while some locations witnessed activity until around 2 am. Accordingly, police personnel and officers have been deployed to maintain law and order during the extended hours.
Personnel in plain clothes are also keeping a watch on possible snatching incidents. Organisers have been asked to provide volunteers to assist with crowd management, and the police have briefed them on security protocols and other safety measures.
To strengthen emergency preparedness, the city police have requisitioned eight Special Rescue Units in coordination with the Odisha Fire Services and the Home Guard Department.
The teams have been positioned at strategic locations to respond to emergencies, particularly those arising from sudden crowd surges. Each unit comprises four personnel trained in advanced life support, emergency evacuation and crowd management.
According to the DCP, the rescue personnel have also familiarised police teams with emergency response procedures. The police are maintaining coordination with the units to ensure their services can be mobilised promptly if required.
The deployment is aimed at ensuring a swift response to any unforeseen incident during the festivities.
Traffic management on the national highway remains another priority, with police diverting heavy vehicles through suburban routes and available bypasses to ease congestion at key bottlenecks.
The DCP said certain stretches were particularly vulnerable to traffic congestion where six-lane roads narrowed to four-lane bridges, creating natural choke points.
To minimise the impact of heavy vehicular movement, the police have introduced diversions through alternative routes in the suburbs. Commuters have also been urged to follow traffic advisories and cooperate with personnel deployed at key intersections.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the Ravan Podi celebrations and idol immersion ceremonies scheduled for October 22.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has created temporary ponds at three designated locations for the immersion of idols. According to the DCP, the temporary access roads have been strengthened, and cranes will be deployed at the sites to facilitate the process.
Police personnel will be stationed at the locations to manage traffic, regulate routes and maintain security during the ceremonies.
The elaborate arrangements come amid heightened concerns over crowd safety following a stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, West Bengal, in which 19 people were killed and 25 others injured.
With large numbers of devotees expected to visit pandals and participate in the festivities, Bhubaneswar police have urged residents and visitors to follow traffic rules, avoid risky activities on flyovers and cooperate with the authorities to ensure a safe and smooth Durga Puja.
