Dibrugarh’s Durga Puja immersion concluded peacefully on Wednesday after 111 community idols were taken to designated sites along the Brahmaputra under heightened security, traffic control and river-rescue arrangements. Thousands of devotees gathered along major roads and riverbanks as officials managed processions amid a higher-than-usual water level.
Mancotta Road, between Thana Chariali and the Phoolbagan traffic point, drew large crowds from midday, with people lining both sides of the road to watch the processions. RKB Road and AT Road also witnessed heavy footfall as devotees gathered for the final day of the five-day festival.
The idols of Goddess Durga and her entourage were accompanied by dhak performances, devotional songs and chants before being taken to designated immersion locations. The main immersion ceremony at Kachhari Ghat, near the old superintendent of police’s office, began at 12.30pm, with Gyan Dayini Durga Puja leading the proceedings. Immersions continued until late evening at Kachhari Ghat and Maijan Ghat along the Brahmaputra.
The river was flowing at a considerably higher level than in previous years, prompting officials to increase vigilance along the banks. Rescue boats and divers were positioned at the immersion sites, while personnel from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force remained on standby. Police personnel, security staff and civil defence volunteers were deployed along the procession routes to regulate traffic, manage crowds and facilitate the movement of vehicles carrying the idols.
District commissioner Bikram Kairi, Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan, senior superintendent of police Abhijit Gurav and Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation mayor Saikat Patra supervised the arrangements along with other officials. “The focus was on ensuring the safe and orderly conduct of the immersion processions, given the large turnout of devotees and the high water level of the Brahmaputra,” an official said.
Municipal corporation staff supported arrangements at the immersion points, while CCTV cameras were used to monitor the proceedings. The city’s power supply was switched off from noon until the ceremony was completed as a precautionary measure. The shutdown was part of the safety arrangements during the movement and immersion of the idols.
The coordinated operation also required traffic management across the city, with crowds gathering for extended periods along procession routes. Officials said the immersion passed off without any untoward incident, bringing the festival to an orderly close.
Elsewhere in Upper Assam, more than 130 idols were immersed at Guijan Ghat in Tinsukia district, where tens of thousands of people gathered along GNB Road to watch the processions. Sivasagar also recorded large gatherings along the banks of the Dikhow river as devotees participated in the final rituals.
