Kolkata Police to deploy 3,700 personnel for Chhath Puja monitoring
Authorities will guard 133 ghats and water bodies to prevent noise violations and illegal firecracker use during the festival.
Kolkata Police will deploy 3,700 personnel to monitor 133 ghats, natural water bodies, and artificial waterfronts during Chhath Puja, according to The Times of India. The deployment aims to manage crowds and prevent noise violations on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
At least 35 senior officers, including Deputy Commissioners (DCPs) and Assistant Commissioners (ACPs), will lead the operation. An additional 300 personnel will guard Subhas Sarobar and Rabindra Sarobar in shifts starting from 10am on Sunday. This includes traffic police tasked with redirecting devotees to designated water bodies.
Fourteen police station areas have been identified for extra watch, including Mukundapur, Survey Park, Kasba, Dhakuria, Paddapukur, Beleghata, Tangra, Cossipore, Sarsuna, and Parnasree. Police noted that while major Hooghly ghats see fewer infringements, local water bodies with less presence often see more illegal firecracker use.
The arrangements follow a noisy Diwali where police faced attacks at three locations. Officers told The Times of India that the threat of similar noise violations cannot be entirely ruled out in certain pockets. To prevent illegal sales, raids will be conducted at firecracker hubs like Old China Bazar and Chandi Chowk.
Police have planned awareness drives in neighbourhoods such as Posta and Burrabazar. The deployment is slightly lower than last year as devotees are more familiar with the protocols and the administration has held discussions with the community.