Durga Puja immersion procession in Bhubaneswar to begin at 3pm, security beefed up

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the Durga Puja immersion ceremony procession in Bhubaneswar which is scheduled to start from 3 pm on Wednesday.

12 ADCPs and DCP rank officers, 28 ACP rank officers, 42 Inspectors, 115 Sub Inspectors and ASI, 70 traffic personnel, and 70 home guards will be deployed to maintain the law and order situation in the capital city during the immersion procession today.

Addressing a presser, Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh said, “Bhubaneswar police has made elaborate arrangements for immersion procession in the capital city. Special focus has been given on the traffic movement so that commuters do not face problems, especially on the National Highway during the immersion. We have also strengthened traffic arrangements on alternative routes in the city as well.”

“All the puja committees have been instructed how to conduct the processions smoothly without blocking the traffic on the Highway. They will start the process at around 3 pm today. However, the police force deployment will start from 1 pm,” he added.

Designated roads for processions have been cordoned off so that vehicular traffic does not create any problems.

Apart from the traffic arrangements, the striking force has also been deployed at three strategic places in Bhubaneswar to respond immediately to any kind of emergency situation. Police have also kept towing vehicles on standby mode to remove broken-down vehicles on the road obstructing the procession.

The Capital Hospital authorities have been requested by the police to cater to any health issues during the procession. Arrangements for drinking water have also been made with the help of WATCO.

As far as the DJs are concerned, all the puja committees have been told by the police to use DJs registered in Bhubaneswar only while police have installed sound limiters to keep the sound pollution under control.

While DJs with sound limiters have been allowed to play music in Bhubaneswar, the immersion procession in Cuttack has been kept completely DJ and alcohol-free.