Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Commissionerate Police has stated that public safety and security would continue to be the top priorities during the next celebrations in Bhubaneswar, as preparations for Durga Puja 2025 get under way. At a preliminary meeting held at Police Seva Bhawan under the direction of Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh, certain actions were laid forth. Strict attention to safety, traffic, and cultural discipline during the festivities was stressed during the meeting, which was attended by MLAs Babu Singh (Ekamra) and Nabakishor Mallick (Jayadev), top police officers, district officials, and members of around 190 Puja Committees.
Strict adherence to fire safety regulations, efficient crowd control around Puja pandals, and sufficient police deployment are important precautions. All Puja Committees have been directed to maintain appropriate access and exit points, install firefighting apparatus, and provide emergency response training to volunteers. Additionally announced were mandatory CCTV cameras, prohibitions on laser lights and DJs, and limitations on “Ravan Podi” to certain safe zones. The protection of women and children will get particular attention, and specialized “HER Teams” will be sent out to key pandals. Operation PRAHAR, the current anti-drug campaign, will step up during the festival, and Puja Committees have been asked to spread the message of “Say No to Drugs.”
The utility and civic authorities will make additional arrangements: TPCODL will assure a continuous power supply and remove dangerous hanging wires along procession routes, while the BMC will fix damaged roads, supply water, and erect bio-toilets at strategic locations.
