Lucknow Police have introduced a three-tier security and crowd-management plan at 157 Chhath Puja locations across the commissionerate area, deploying drones, CCTV cameras, plainclothes personnel, barricades and water-rescue teams ahead of the rituals on November 15 and 16.
The most extensive arrangements have been made at Laxman Mela Ground, Kudiya Ghat, Jhulelal Ghat and G-20 Ghat, where large crowds are expected during the evening and morning rituals. Police said surveillance and emergency-response teams would monitor movement, regulate access and respond to incidents at vulnerable points.
The security plan combines aerial and fixed-camera surveillance with personnel deployed on the ground. Drones and CCTV cameras will be used to track crowd movement, identify congestion and detect possible security threats. Barricading has been installed at sensitive locations to manage the flow of devotees and reduce the risk of overcrowding near the ghats.
Male and female police officers in plain clothes will also be deployed to monitor suspicious activity and assist with the safety of women and children. The arrangement is intended to supplement uniformed personnel responsible for regulating entry and exit and responding to emergencies.
The police have stationed State Disaster Response Force and water police teams at sensitive locations because a significant part of the festival activity will take place near water bodies. Their deployment is meant to support rescue and emergency response during the rituals. The report does not specify the number of personnel or water teams assigned to each venue.
Chhath Puja events will be held at 157 locations within the Lucknow Police Commissionerate area. The East Zone accounts for 47 venues, followed by 17 in the West Zone, eight in the North Zone, 63 in the South Zone and 22 in the Central Zone. The distribution places the largest number of listed venues in the South Zone.
Traffic management is another part of the plan. Traffic police have been directed to maintain vehicular movement and prevent congestion around the ghats, particularly as visitors arrive for the evening and morning observances. The police have not provided details of any specific road closures, diversion routes or parking arrangements in the information available.
Joint commissioner of police (law and order) Babloo Kumar said all major ghats had been brought under comprehensive security cover, with surveillance and emergency-response teams deployed. “Traffic police have also been directed to ensure smooth vehicular movement and prevent congestion around the ghats,” Kumar said.
The arrangements will remain focused on the two-day Chhath schedule, with police, traffic personnel, surveillance teams, SDRF and water police working across the designated venues. Further operational details, including venue-specific traffic restrictions, were not stated in the report.
