More than 80 Durga Puja committees have been asked to install closed-circuit television cameras at pandals to help check untoward incidents during the five- day festival.

In an order issued by the district administration, the famous clubs and associations celebrating Durga Puja in the town area have been asked to give undertakings stating that CCTVs would be installed at their pandals.

District magistrate Anupam Kumar directed all 38 station house officers to provide licences to the clubs only after the associations have adhered to the safety norms.

“The camera footage would be recorded and taken to the police stations concerned. In case of any eventuality, the police would be able to check the footage and bring the guilty to book,” said a district official.

According to the district magistrate’s order, fire-fighting gadgets should be kept handy in the pandals as a precautionary measure.

The district fire officer has been asked to make feasible arrangements in case of any contingency. He has been asked to deploy fire fighters at specific locations so that they can reach on time in case of a fire.

Soon after the orders were issued, members of a few puja committees were summoned by the police stations concerned to fill up the form of procuring licences on Monday.

Raju Sah, the secretary of Durga Mata Samiti at Banaras Bank Chowk, said: “The police have asked me to furnish details of our association’s members, including their identity proofs. Only then will they hand me over a licence for the puja. I have furnished the details.”

According to the new norms, at least 10 members of a puja committee will have to take responsibility to maintain peace and communal amity during the festival. The route of idol immersion mentioned in the undertaking has to be strictly followed by the club.

The district magistrate also said police officers have been instructed to set up control rooms-cum-watch towers in the town to keep a strict watch on the five-day carnival. The Saraiyaganj tower could be a possible control room. A large number of policemen, including traffic personnel, would be deployed to regulate traffic.

Senior superintendent of police, Muzaffarpur, Saurav Kumar said: “The strength of the traffic police has been increased for smooth traffic during the puja.”