Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi shared warm Durga Puja greetings with people across the state on Monday. He highlighted how the festival brings devotion and joy from bustling cities to quiet villages.
“I extend my heartfelt wishes to everyone in Odisha for Durga Puja and Dussehra,” Majhi said. “Maa Durga has come to bless us, and I pray for a peaceful, prosperous, and developed Odisha under her grace. Let’s celebrate with harmony and peace.”
As celebrations kick off, Odisha Police ramp up security to ensure safe and smooth Durga Puja festivities in districts like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh told reporters that Bhubaneswar alone hosts 193 pandals this year, with 24 featuring idols decorated in expensive gold and silver.
The main focus stays on managing crowds and traffic. Teams deploy static guards and 13 mobile strike units for quick response. Surveillance mixes hands-on checks with tech, including drones to track crowd flow and verify exit routes.
If things get too crowded, public announcements will direct devotees to nearby pandals or safer spots. These measures run for the next three days, extending two more days for idol immersions. During immersions, pandal guards ease up, but police prioritize traffic diversions and easy vehicle movement.
To back this up, Bhubaneswar’s police force includes 38 platoons, 20 home guard platoons, one Central Armed Police Force company, a Special Tactical Unit, and a bomb detection squad with full gear.
Leadership on the ground features three Deputy Commissioners of Police, six Additional DCPs, 12 Assistant Commissioners of Police, 33 inspectors, 172 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors, plus 79 women constables for strong oversight.
Plain-clothes officers patrol discreetly, while CCTV cameras watch every pandal to stop crimes like theft, snatching, and other trouble. With these steps, police aim to let families enjoy Odisha’s vibrant Durga Puja celebrations worry-free.
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