Bihar has tightened security at Durga Puja pandals across the state after a stampede in Kolkata that killed 19 people, with police deploying additional forces, expanding surveillance and imposing traffic restrictions in crowded areas during the remaining festivities and idol immersion.
The Bihar Police Headquarters has issued a statewide alert directing all superintendents of police and senior superintendents of police to strengthen crowd-control and safety arrangements at major pandals. Measures include barricading, separate entry and exit points, additional personnel, CCTV monitoring and regular public announcements.
Special security arrangements are being maintained in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur and Darbhanga, where large numbers of devotees are expected. In Patna, around 2,000 additional police personnel and 14 companies of special police and paramilitary forces have been deployed for the remaining days of Durga Puja and the idol immersion process.
Police personnel and magistrates have been stationed at crowded locations in the capital, including Dak Bungalow Chowk, Gandhi Maidan, Boring Road, Bailey Road and Patna City. Bihar Police Headquarters said surveillance had been intensified through drones and CCTV cameras installed at more than 53 sensitive locations. Twenty-five deputy superintendent-rank officers have been assigned responsibilities for security management.
Special teams are monitoring chain-snatching, harassment and rumour-mongering, while plainclothes personnel and mobile patrols have been deployed to observe crowd movement and respond to incidents. The arrangements place crowd control alongside protection against crimes that tend to increase in dense public gatherings.
Traffic restrictions have also been introduced in connection with the Gwalior accident. Heavy vehicles, including trucks, hyvas, mixer dumpers and construction-material carriers, have been barred from key inner-city routes until Vijayadashami. Vehicles approaching from Danapur, Khagaul and the bypass are being diverted through alternative routes to reduce risks near crowded pandals.
In Bhagalpur, the fire department has prohibited havan rituals inside pandals and directed organisers to conduct them at safer locations outside. The order follows concerns about open flames, decorative fabrics and other combustible materials inside crowded enclosures.
District administrations have also increased visible patrolling and inspections. In Lakhisarai, district magistrate Shailendra Kumar and superintendent of police Prerna Kumar led a flag march involving police personnel, women police officers and senior officials. The superintendent of police said Puja committees had been instructed to install CCTV cameras and ensure adequate fire-safety arrangements. Playing DJ music during the celebrations has been completely prohibited, the officer said.
In Sitamarhi, district magistrate Tanay Sultania and superintendent of police Amit Ranjan led a flag march and inspected several pandals. Organisers and visitors were warned that strict action would follow any disturbance of public order, rumour-spreading or other trouble during the festivities.
The heightened arrangements will remain in force through the remaining Durga Puja celebrations and idol immersion, with police, magistrates, district administrations, fire services and festival organisers responsible for implementing the crowd, traffic and safety measures.
