In the wake of the Chorbagan pandal stampede in Kolkata that claimed 19 lives, Odisha Police has asked puja committees to ensure a queue-based darshan system to manage crowds, particularly in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, officials said on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters here, DGP Vinaytosh Mishra said narrow passages and large crowds could lead to stampedes.
"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," he said.
Adequate police personnel and volunteers have been deployed at the entrance and exit gates of the pandals to regulate the movement of devotees, Mishra said.
"We will ensure that a large number of people are not allowed inside the pandals at one time. If someone falls inside the 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, he said.
Movement of four-wheelers has been restricted on narrow roads leading to the pandals. Ambulances and fire service teams have also been deployed at the venues, he added.
Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said the puja committees were responsible for ensuring the safety of devotees at their respective venues, while the police were regulating arrangements and providing security.
"It is the responsibility of the puja organising committees to ensure the safety of the devotees at their pandals. We are regulating it and providing necessary security arrangements," he said.
Several meetings were held with stakeholders, and all puja organisers were asked to install CCTV cameras and deploy adequate volunteers to manage crowds, Singh said.
"We have issued guidelines for organising the puja. If any violation is found, strong action will be taken," the police commissioner warned.
He also stressed the need to implement a queue-based darshan system at the pandals.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Central Range, Satyajit Naik appealed to people to celebrate Durga Puja peacefully and maintain discipline, harmony and mutual respect.
Emphasising the importance of law and order during the festival, he urged people to uphold Odisha's cultural traditions and ensure that the celebrations remained peaceful and inclusive.
Puja organisers should strictly follow the guidelines issued by the administration and ensure that processions and immersion ceremonies are conducted in an orderly manner to safeguard public safety, he said.
Naik also appealed to devotees, puja committees, organisers and volunteers to discharge their responsibilities sincerely and ensure that the celebrations did not inconvenience others.
He advised people against believing or circulating messages, photographs and videos without verifying their authenticity, warning that unverified information and provocative social media posts could cause confusion, fear and tension and disturb communal harmony.
Naik also cautioned people against 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, he said.
At least 19 people were killed and 25 others injured in a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening, following a surge in the crowd amid rain.