Patna police have deployed around 2,000 personnel across the city for Durga Puja, backed by CCTV cameras, drone surveillance, local control rooms and traffic diversions to manage crowds and maintain public safety at pandals and other gathering points.
Patna SSP Kartikeya K Sharma said on Saturday that adequate forces had been positioned at puja venues and in other areas expected to see public gatherings and events. The arrangements cover surveillance, crowd management and coordinated responses to pressure at busy locations.
Police are monitoring puja pandals through CCTV cameras and drones, while local control rooms are being used to track developments and coordinate action, Sharma said. Police teams are also inspecting pandals and conducting flag marches in sensitive and previously identified areas.
The security plan includes fire safety measures at venues, including the availability of fire extinguishers. Sharma said personnel had been instructed to remain alert and take prompt action to prevent any untoward incident. The arrangements place police deployment alongside venue-level safety checks, reflecting the operational challenges created by large public gatherings during the festival.
Traffic regulation and crowd movement are also part of the plan. Diversions came into effect from Saturday evening, with officials assigned to monitor congestion and movement at busy locations and take steps to manage pressure. The police did not provide details of the specific roads affected by the diversions in the information available.
Different police units, including specialised forces, have been deployed as part of the arrangements. Plain-clothes personnel and women police officers will also be stationed where necessary to help manage crowds and address the safety needs of visitors, according to the SSP.
The deployment comes as puja venues become focal points for pedestrian movement, vehicle congestion and prolonged public gatherings. In such settings, surveillance and control rooms are intended to help authorities identify crowd pressure and coordinate responses, while traffic diversions are used to regulate movement around busy locations.
Sharma appealed to residents to celebrate peacefully, maintain communal harmony and avoid paying attention to rumours. He also urged people to inform the police immediately about suspicious activity and cooperate with the administration in maintaining law and order. Officials will continue monitoring crowd and traffic conditions as the festival arrangements remain in force.
