Dhanbad. To maintain law and order, ensure smooth traffic movement, and safeguard devotees during the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, the district and police administration have completed extensive preparations. In this context, a high-level review meeting was held at the collectorate auditorium under the joint chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate Aditya Ranjan and Senior Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar with all concerned departmental officials. It was made clear in the meeting that negligence of security standards in puja pandals will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Under the guidelines issued by the administration, it is mandatory for all puja committees to submit a formal undertaking to comply with prescribed safety standards. No-objection certificates from the Fire Department (fire safety), Building Division/PWD (pandal structural strength), and Electrical Department (wiring and load safety) are compulsory for every pandal. The use of synthetic, nylon, or other inflammable materials in pandal construction is strictly prohibited. Every pandal must ensure operational fire extinguishers (with valid expiry), buckets filled with sand, first-aid kits, and alternative arrangements of converters/generators for uninterrupted power.
Separate queues, entry, and exit gates will be established for male and female devotees. Adequate barricading, ventilation, and lost-and-found centers must be set up. Committees will have to deploy a sufficient number of volunteers wearing prescribed dress codes and ID cards. The list of volunteers along with phone numbers must be submitted to the local police station. Installation of internet-connected CCTV cameras and LED screens is mandatory in all pandals. Emergency numbers (Dial 112, local police station, control room) must be prominently displayed. Playing DJs in puja pandals and immersion processions will be strictly prohibited. Loudspeakers can only be used within the prescribed time period and noise limits.
