Kamrup District’s Advisory for Durga Puja 2024: Safety, Security, and Guidelines
Guwahati, September 27, 2024: The Kamrup Metropolitan District Administration, Guwahati, has issued a detailed advisory ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations to ensure the safety and security of both organizers and the public. The advisory, released by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner in collaboration with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for Durga Puja committees, volunteers, and the public to follow. This is aimed at avoiding accidents, ensuring smooth operations, and adhering to legal requirements throughout the festivities.
The advisory lists a series of ‘DOs’ and ‘DON’Ts’ for Puja committees, focusing on cooperation with authorities, emergency preparedness, fire safety, crowd management, and overall public safety.
Detailed Advisory Guidelines:
DO’s:
1. Cooperation with Administrative Machinery:
Durga Puja committees are advised to fully cooperate with the local administration in implementing all safety and security measures during the festivities.
2. Safety Measures for Temporary Structures:
Committees must ensure that all temporary structures, including electrical fittings and fire safety arrangements, are secure. It is mandatory to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Public Works Department (PWD) for these temporary setups. Additionally, an Electrical Safety Certificate from the Chief Electrical Advisor and a Fire Safety Certificate from the Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) are required before the start of the puja.
3. Emergency Evacuation Area:
A designated emergency evacuation area should be kept clear in every puja pandal, with separate entry and exit points for safe crowd movement.
4. Medical Readiness:
Every puja committee must have a medical team, including a doctor, available to handle emergencies.
5. Volunteer Management:
Committees should appoint a sufficient number of male and female volunteers. These volunteers should be briefed on their roles and responsibilities and must collaborate with local police. They should be easily identifiable by wearing distinguishable identity cards.
6. Informing the Police:
Local police stations should be informed in advance about all programs. In cases where VIPs or celebrities are attending, strict compliance with security guidelines is required.
7. Firefighting Arrangements:
Every pandal must make provisions for fire safety. Fire extinguishers, sand buckets, and other firefighting materials should be readily available on the premises.
8. Crowd Management:
Adequate arrangements for crowd management and control should be made. Committees should erect separate barricades and provide distinct entry and exit routes for men and women.
9. Public Address Systems:
The functionality of public address systems should be checked thoroughly. The use of loudspeakers must comply with noise pollution norms, especially to avoid disturbing nearby residents.
10. Provision of Drinking Water:
Committees must ensure that adequate drinking water is provided for visitors.
11. Hygiene and Cleanliness:
Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in and around the pandal is a priority. Proper cleaning measures must be taken during and after the puja to avoid littering and health hazards.
12. Post-Event Cleanliness:
After the puja, the area should be cleaned thoroughly to prevent any public nuisance.
13. Discourage Forceful Collection of Donations:
Forceful donation collection is not only discouraged but also considered illegal. Committees must ensure no coercive fundraising activities are carried out.
14. Submission of Office Bearer Details:
Committees must submit a detailed list of names and addresses of all office bearers and volunteers to the nearest police station in advance.
15. Ensure Peaceful Observance:
Durga Puja committees are required to ensure that the celebration is peaceful, without disruptions or unlawful activities.
16. Keep the Area Free of Dangerous Articles:
Any potentially dangerous items should be kept away from the pandals and surrounding areas.
17. Ban on Alcohol and Drugs:
The use of alcohol or psychotropic substances at the venue is strictly prohibited.
18. Security for Empty Pandals:
The puja pandal must be guarded at all times, even when empty. Police personnel or private security should be deployed to protect pandals when not in use.
19. Adherence to Rules and Regulations:
Violations of any rules or regulations by individuals will reflect on the organizing committee, which may be held accountable for such breaches.
20. Informing the Police about VIP Visits:
If a VIP or any high-risk dignitary is invited to the puja, committees must inform the police at least seven days in advance and follow all security instructions meticulously.
21. Adequate Illumination:
Sufficient lighting must be arranged inside the pandal and its surrounding areas. Additionally, backup power sources, such as generators, should be in place to handle power outages.
22. Help Desk:
Each pandal must establish a 24×7 help desk to assist visitors and manage any emergencies.
23. Installation of CCTV Cameras:
CCTV cameras should be installed at strategic points around the pandal, and the setup must be done in consultation with the local police.
24. Follow Immersion Guidelines:
Puja committees must follow the directions given by the district or police administration for immersion of the idols. The process should be conducted peacefully and safely.
25. Safety During Immersion:
Committees must ensure that all safety protocols are followed during the immersion process. Immersion should be completed by 11 AM on the designated day.
26. Procession Control:
Senior members of the committees should control the crowd, especially young people, to prevent unruly behavior. People who cannot be controlled should be kept away from the procession.
27. Avoid Burst of Crackers During Immersion:
The use of fireworks during the immersion procession is discouraged, as it may lead to accidents.
28. Instruct Volunteers on Guidelines:
All volunteers, workers, and well-wishers should be thoroughly briefed on the guidelines to ensure they are followed.
DON’Ts:
1. No Pandals on Public Thoroughfares:
Pandals must not be set up on public roads or thoroughfares, which could obstruct traffic.
2. No Defacing Public Property:
It is prohibited to deface public walls, properties, or natural objects with posters, banners, or decorations.
3. No Structures on Public Property:
No office, kiosk, or other structures should be established on public property.
4. Parking Restrictions:
Parking within 100 meters of any pandal is strictly prohibited.
5. No Hanging of Flags or Banners on Public Property:
The hanging of flags, buntings, or banners on public places is not allowed.
6. Ban on Plastic Bags and Posters:
The use of plastic bags, flags, banners, buntings, or posters is banned. These items are prohibited under Section 144 of the CRPC.
7. Loudspeaker Restrictions:
Loudspeakers should not be used beyond 10:00 PM to respect the peace and privacy of residents and students.
8. Avoid Inflammable Materials:
Highly inflammable materials must not be used in the decoration of pandals to avoid fire hazards.
Emergency Contact Information:
The administration has provided a list of emergency contact numbers for critical services, including:
– District Administration Control Room: 0361-2733052/1077
– Police Control Room: 0361-2464557, 2461556, and Dial-100
– Fire & Emergency Services Control Room: 0361-2737680, 2735933, 2735935, 9435960618
– GMC Control Room: 8811007000, 7399003001, 7399003002, 7399003003, 7399003004
– APDCL Control Room: 7086077374, 9954192104, 9954192105
– NDRF Control Room: 9435117246
This advisory has been issued in the interest of public safety and security, ensuring that the Durga Puja festivities are conducted peacefully, without accidents or incidents. Committees are urged to adhere to the guidelines strictly for a safe celebration.
The Kamrup District Administration expects full cooperation from all puja committees to ensure that the festival is celebrated in a safe, organized, and harmonious manner.
Also read: Assam Chief Minister Ensures Strict Measures for Fair ADRE Exam Conduct
SOP for Durga Puja celebrations in Kamrup Metropolitan District @CMOfficeAssam@sdma_assam @assampolice@diprassam@TransportAssam@nhm_assam@GuwahatiPol@GhtyTrafficPol@gmc_guwahati@diprokamrupm#DurgaPuja2024#KamrupMetropolitanDistrict pic.twitter.com/8pfEEwIH0X
— Kamrup Metro District Administration (@DCKamrupMetro) September 26, 2024
