The district administration is leaving nothing to chance this Durga Puja and has issued a checklist for obtaining licences to set up pandals.

A thorough scrutiny is being conducted before issuing the licences to puja organisers. Unlike last year, without a licence, no one would be allowed to organise puja at public places.

Speaking on the sidelines of his weekly janata durbar, district magistrate N. Saravana Kumar on Thursday said: “Many puja organisers have applied for the licence. Though the process to get one is not tough, it is being provided only after a thorough scrutiny. We have prepared a checklist for puja organisers and they would have to follow instructions. There are also some terms and condition for the puja organisers.”

The checklist consists of arrangements at the pandals like fire-fighting measures, volunteers, cleanliness, water facility, lighting, width of entry and exit points and others. He added: “We have received applications from more than 600 puja organisers to set up pandals. We are still in the process of giving the licences. The sub-divisional officer and sub-divisional police officer have been asked to keep tabs on organisers trying to erect pandals without a licence.”

The administration would also take steps to ensure peaceful immersion of idols. “Being an important part of the ritual, I want the idol immersion to take place peacefully. We have experience of rowdy elements creating problems during the immersion procession. We do not want any such incident this year and for that special care is being taken,” said Kumar.

He also said special watchtowers would be set up along routes through which immersion procession would pass and the march would be captured on video to keep tabs on mischief mongers trying to create problems in the crowd.

“Very soon we would come out with the list of ghats, which will be used for immersion of the idols. There are some dangerous ghats that are not fit for immersion. Bhadra Ghat is safe for puja organisers in the Patna City area. We have to find safe ghats in the Ashok Rajpath area,” said the district magistrate.

On safety measures being taken by the administration, he said: “National Disaster Response Force personnel would be deputed and boats would be pressed into service at the ghats. A police force will also be deputed. I have asked Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials to make proper lightning arrangements.”

He also said the district administration has started making preparation for Chhath and the PMC has been assigned duty to clean the ghats

On any temporary pond being arranged for idol immersion, Kumar said: “It is not possible for the district administration to make temporary ponds. If puja organiser want to do that, they are welcome.”

Rukunpura Durga Puja Samiti secretary Birendra Kumar said: “Last year, we did not have the issue of licence. This year, the district administration has made it mandatory. It is a new rule and it would take time for us to adjust. But it is a good initiative.”

The sixth special meeting of the empowered standing committee of the PMC would be held at its headquarters at Mauryalok complex on Friday. The meeting has been called to finalise the steps to be taken for ensuring cleanliness during Durga Puja.