Elaborate security arrangements in place
Kolkata: Kolkata Police has almost turned the Red Road and its surrounding areas into a fortress as the city is all set to witness the grand Durga Puja Carnival 2018 on Tuesday. As several VVIPs will be present along with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the security arrangement has been made in different tiers.
According to police sources, 3,000 police personnel will be deployed on Tuesday for Puja Carnival security. Vehicular movement on Red Road will be restricted from early Tuesday morning. Though police personnel will be deployed from Monday night on Red Road, the whole area will scrutinised thoroughly after imposing vehicular movement restriction. Sniffer dogs will be used as well. The bomb squad of Kolkata Police will also be engaged.
Apart from the pre-event security arrangement, several measures have been taken to ensure foolproof security of all guests till the end of the carnival. There will be several teams of police comprising Special Action Force (SAF), Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Quick Reaction Team (QRT) deployed at Red Road and its surrounding areas. These units will check for any unauthorised and suspicious movement in the area. Apart from the specialised forces, police personnel from the Special Branch will also be deployed.
Police personnel in plain clothes will also be there among the spectators. Special security arrangements have been made for the foreign diplomats and delegates who will be present at the event.
Six watchtowers have also been erected to keep a hawk's eye on the area. Adequate number of CCTV cameras have been installed as well for proper surveillance. Sources have informed that drones will also be used during the programme to avoid any untoward incident.
Vehicular movement on Red Road will be restricted from the morning on Tuesday, whereas Hospital Road, Casuarina Avenue and Mayo Road might be partially closed for traffic movement. Normal vehicular movement will be allowed through Jawaharlal Nehru Road.
Vehicular movement on Kidderpore Road from Hastings Crossing to Lovers Lane will be closed from 2 pm till the end of the carnival on Tuesday.
