Guidelines issued for foolproof security, immersion of idols

Patna: The district administration on Monday directed the officials to ensure foolproof security arrangements during the upcoming festivals of Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath. The officials have been directed to ensure strict vigilance and effective crowd management during the festivals. Besides, a guideline for immersion of idols after the festival was also issued by the administration.
The puja committees have been asked to immerse the idols in artificial ponds.No immersion of idols will be allowed in the rivers or other natural waterbodies. The officials have been directed to coordinate with the puja committees to identify artificial ponds for immersion of idols, according to the schedule prepared by the administration.
Divisional commissioner, Mayank Warwade said, “During the festivals, no fairs, cultural programmes, Ravana Vadh, processions, immersion processions, or similar events will be organized without prior permission from the district administration. The disc jockey (DJ), loudspeakers and crackers will be prohibited after 10 pm. The puja committees have been instructed to install CCTV cameras inside and outside the pandals to keep a tab on the mischievous elements during the festival.”
Warwade said special teams would be formed to monitor social media platforms. Quick tesponse teams (QRTs) and quick medical response teams (QMRTs) will be deployed to tackle any emergency situation. The puja committees have to take licences to set up pandals and for idol immersions from the local authority, he said.
“Compliance with the prescribed standards for the construction of the pandal and the immersion of the idol is mandatory. Officials concerned should ensure adherence to the provisions outlined in the Bihar (Idol Immersion Process after Worship) Rules, 2021. Under these rules, the maximum height of the idol should be limited to 20 feet, and the height of the upper structure (pandal) should be restricted to 40 feet,” Warwade said.
District magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said, “The officials and SHOs concerned have been directed to hold meetings with different stakeholders. The traffic police have been asked to ensure proper traffic management. The administration aims to maintain law and order, ensure public safety, and prevent environmental pollution during the festive season.”