KOLKATA: Kolkata Police has made elaborate arrangements for Kali Puja and Diwali. Elaborate measures have also been taken up in Howrah and Bidhnannagar for the same to prevent any untoward incident.
This year, around 3,261 Pujas have been given permission. The Puja committees have been asked to secure their pandals with fire fighting measures. Kolkata Police has identified 618 points where pickets will be installed. Apart from the pickets, 23 units Heavy radio Flying Squad (HRFS) will patrol the city. There will be 13 additional vehicles there as special HRFS which will assist the HRFS units if needed. Around 29 Quick Reaction Team (QRT) will be deployed across the city.
Police have also arranged for auto rickshaws to patrol areas where police vehicle cannot enter due to narrow passage. As part of security measure, 27 watch towers have been installed and around 26 trauma care ambulances will be put in place in case of any accident or urgent situation.
Apart from police force deployment, security has been ensured in several renowned Kali Temples across the city. Sources informed that Kalighat, Thanthania, Kalibari, Lake Kalibari and Haridevpur Karunamoyee Kalibari are the some key temples on the list.
According to the sources, senior police officials have been ordered to supervise the arrangements and take necessary actions in respect to the situation. To receive complaints from residents, four sub control rooms have been set in four divisions and 25 divisional mobile vans will be plying on these two days.
Apart from Kali Puja and Diwali days, security arrangements have been made for the immersion purpose as well. Around 255 pickets will be there on the days of immersion. Disaster Management Group (DMG) teams will be deployed at 29 ghats. The River Traffic Police will use boats and jet skis to patrol the ghats during the immersion. Special surveillance will be there to prevent DJing during immersion procession.
Apart from Kolkata Police, Bidhannagar Police has also taken several precautionary measures during the two-day festival. Around two thousand police personnel will be deployed. Four QRT will patrol the two divisions with special focus on Airport and its adjacent areas to prevent laser light and flying of sky lanterns. The Traffic department has been ordered to check and prevent drunken driving.