Patna range deputy inspector-general (DIG) of police Shalin detected security lapses at the tent cities erected at Patna Bypass, Kangan Ghat, and Gandhi Maidan on Thursday while reviewing the arrangements at the three sites.

Thousands of Sikh devotees are being accommodated for Prakash Utsav, the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh, at the sites.

"At the Bypass tent city, which is the largest of the three, we found that peripheral security was not up to mark. We have asked the police personnel deployed there as well as at Kangan Ghat to conduct intensive peripheral patrolling," Shalin said.

Another lapse at the tent city located along Patna Bypass was that the three separate groups of Sikh pilgrims running langar (free community kitchen) did not know about the location of fire extinguishers present there. It was rectified immediately and the langar managers were briefed on the fire-fighting gadgets.

The state government is expecting five lakh devotees to participate in the celebrations. The tent cities are estimated to house around 53,000 devotees, which may go up to 75,000 as Prakash Utsav peaks between January 3 and 5. Slackness was discovered at all three locations with regard to access control.

"Police deployed at entry points have been asked to check identity cards of people before letting them in. They will also be frisked with the help of hand-held metal detectors. Goods vehicles carrying eatables will be allowed only after stringent checking," Shalin added.

Access control to the makeshift gurdwara at Gandhi Maidan has been tightened and nobody without identity card will be allowed inside. The step has been taken because a large number of VIP visitors are expected.

All the pilgrims are expected to visit Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib or Patna Sahib Gurdwara, which marks the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh. Special railings have been put up to manage the crowd flow on the auspicious days.

Police have initiated the security protocol as per the blue book for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to visit Patna to take part in the festival on January 5.

Altogether 15,000 police personnel have been deployed for security duty during the 10-day-long celebrations till January 8.