|
 |
| Devotees immerse a Durga idol at Law College Ghat in Patna on Dashami and the effigy of Ravan burns during Dussehra celebrations at Gandhi Maidan. Telegraph pictures |
Food, fun and frolic marked Durga Puja and Dussehra. Oblivious of what was happening around, most people were absorbed in celebrations with relatives and friends. Some of the factors that made it a festival of cheer:
Traffic
Scene: Motorists had a smooth sailing. Barring a few bottlenecks, traffic was normal on the festival days. There wasn’t a single instance of prolonged traffic jam. Rash drivers were pulled up. More than 400 bikes were seized from different parts of the state capital during Durga Puja. Some cops, stationed on Bailey Road, were hurt late on Tuesday night as they tried to nab a group of speeding bikers
Trick: Diversions, vigilant policemen
Remark: Street-smart cops
Crowd management
Scene: Revellers thronged pandals in thousands. But there was no chaos. Cops and volunteers managed the crowd well. No eve-teasing case was reported during puja
Trick: Perfect co-ordination between vigilant cops and smart volunteers
Remark: People, police and volunteers pass patience test
Cleanliness
Scene: Most parts of the city sported a spick-and-span look. Garbage was carted away from vats at regular intervals. Few places like Kurji Roundabout were exceptions
Trick: Civic workers were on their job round-the-clock on first two days of puja
Remark: Civic workers did wonders
Power
Scene: Uninterrupted electric supply on all four days because of proper maintenance of substations before the puja. Distribution lines were also checked. Round-the-clock vigilance through control room ensured snags were rectified immediately
Trick: Proper maintenance and adequate power from the Centre and open market
Remark: Salute to power men
Immersion
Scene: Crowd was under control. The cops ensured the immersion process started early so that maximum number of idols could be immersed before sunset. It was mandatory for all processions to pass through a single route to avoid chaos on roads leading to the Ganga. There were no reports of clash or drowning till Thursday late evening
Trick: Early start for early finish
Remark: Smart vigil and heavy deployment of police ensured safe immersions
| 
