Patna, Oct. 27: A three-tier security and check system would be in place at all Chhath ghats this year, with men in uniform using metal detectors to frisk people. The traffic movement would also be regulated during the festival for safety.

Senior police officers today told The Telegraph that the ghats have been divided into two categories — A and B — for security.

“Nine ghats, highly sensitive from the security point of view, have been included in the Category A. Mostly VIPs use them. Huge number of police personnel, including cops in plainclothes, will be posted at these ghats. Metal detector frames will be installed and policemen will have the liberty to check anyone they suspect,” Patna city superintendent of police (SP) central and traffic SP Shivdeep Lande told The Telegraph.

Among those nine ghats, the district administration has marked three as “dangerous”, banning Chhath ceremonies there.

“With three ghats declared dangerous, six remain in the Category A. Adequate security measures, including deployment of policemen, will be in place at 20 ghats listed under the Category B. There will be a three-point security set-up on way to all the ghats. Most of the ghats are located along Ashok Rajpath. Hence, all vehicular traffic will be stopped where the road begins. As devotees walk along, the second police point will check mob. The cops will streamline the movement of pedestrians, asking them to stop if the ghats get congested. Next, at the ghat entrance, policemen will frisk devotees with metal detectors. There will be separate entry and exit routes for devotees at the ghats,” the officer added.

All ghats would have proper lighting. Dog squads would also be pressed into service.

“There will be a control room and a doctor at each of the ghats. Closed-circuit television cameras will be installed at all the ghats and professional divers and boats will be on standby. Police motorboats will patrol the river. All police stations have been instructed to start intensive patrolling in their respective areas from October 31,” Lande said.

Traffic regulations will be in place from 12noon to 7pm on November 1 and from 2am to 6am on November 2, the police said. “Heavy vehicles and tractors would not be allowed to ply on Boring Canal Road. Devotees going from Boring Road roundabout towards Rajapur bridge can park their vehicles near Alankar Jewellers before walking down. The same will be applicable to those travelling from Kurji More towards Rajapur bridge. Small vehicles will be allowed to ply on this route but the devotees will have to park them near Ashok Rajpath before continuing on foot,” Lande added.