Odisha Police holds preparatory meeting for Ganesh Puja processions

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], August 20 (ANI): Odisha Police on Tuesday held a preparatory meeting for the upcoming Ganesh Puja procession to be held in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

The committees would have to apply for a procession licence for the dates fixed for the idol immersion. “We had a preparatory meeting for the Ganesh puja procession both in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar and based on the discussion with the puja committees and others, they have to apply for the procession license well in advance on the dates fixed for the immersion”, said Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Sanjeeb Panda while speaking to ANI after consultation with the puja committee members.

The Police Commissioner said that during the immersion only soundboxes will be used by the groups. “During the immersion, no permission for DJ will be allowed and only soundboxes will be used during the procession…”, added the Commissioner.

Speaking on the noise restrictions, the Odisha Police Commissioner said that there is a cap of sixty-five decibels for noise levels too.

On the security arrangements for the procession, the Police Commissioner said that action will be taken against those who are not following the proper decorum for idols, respecting the sanctity of the idol.

“In case somebody is not displaying the proper idol of Lord Ganesha, we will take action against them also”, told the Commissioner to ANI.

Apart from the advance permission for the idol immersion, people would also need clearance from different departments and also engage volunteers for crowd control. “For the Puja also, they have to get clearance from the Electricity department, Fire Department, BMC etc. And they have to take permission from Police well in advance, and they have to engage volunteers for crowd control and safety of pandals”, said Commissioner Panda.

The Commissioner also assured the deployment of adequate forces for traffic regulation during the procession.

Ganesh Puja idol immersions are slated to happen on September 15, 22 and 29.