178 pandals this Durga puja in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar:  As many as 178 Durga puja pandals will come up in Odisha capital this year, six more than the last year, police said.

The Commissionerate Police today held a preparatory meeting involving people’s representatives, Durga Puja Committee members, local police officers and officials of various departments here to make the ensuing Puja festivities in the city hassle-free.

This year, four make-shift ponds will be erected on the city outskirts for idols immersion. Sources said police have decided to arrange temporary pond in Raghunathpur this year for smooth immersion of idols.

The meeting also discussed uninterrupted power supply and smooth flow of traffic during the festival.

Speaking to the media, Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said Durga puja committees can apply for license from September 24 and a meeting will be held on Monday every week to discuss steps to be taken for smooth Durga puja celebrations.

Bhubaneswar Mayor Anant Narayn Jena, who attended the meeting, said around 10000 LED lights will be put up in various streets in the city and sanitise the areas surrounding puja pandals.

Big Durga puja pandals will come up at Nayapalli, Rasulgarh, Baramunda, Saheed Nagar, Bomikhal, Laxmi Sagar, Old Station Bazzar, Ashok Nagar, VSS Nagar, Palasuni, Niladri Vihar, Patia among other areas in city.

Elaborate arrangements will be made to control the vehicular traffic in the city. The police personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order situation during Durga puja and idol immersion.

Besides, CRPF personnel will also be in place to keep vigil on anti social activities during the celebrations.

Durga Puja takes place from October 15 to October 18, followed by the grand immersion of Durga idols on October 19.