Patna police have planned elaborate security arrangements at the pandals during the four-day Durga Puja festival.

Based on a meeting between district administration, police and members of various puja committees, instructions have been issued to the committees to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the pandals.

The committees have been asked to deploy adequate number of volunteers also.

Police personnel and puja committee volunteers will control the security from watchtowers at the entrance and exit of puja pandals.

Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) law and order Shibli Nomani said: 'As part of the security arrangements for Durga Puja, the local police stations have been asked to hold meetings with puja committees falling under their jurisdictions at regular intervals and take stock of the arrangements.'

Every puja organiser has been issued directives to submit the name of volunteers along with their addresses at the local police stations.

Amit Kumar Sinha, the deputy secretary of Navyuvak Sangh Shree Durga Puja Samiti on Dak Bungalow Road, which witnesses the highest footfall in Patna, said: 'After the instructions from the district administration we have decided to install closed-circuit television cameras at 50 places. Around 150 volunteers will stand at the entrance and exit of the pandal to manage the rush.'

The police have also decided to keep a tab on activities of youngsters and bikers driving rashly.

Nomani said: 'To check youngsters and rash bikers, a special cell of Patna police has been set up. The members of the cells will be deployed at the roundabouts. The Patna police in the past one month have identified various bikers who flout traffic rules. The local police stations have been directed to keep a tab on activities of such bikers.'

Also, vehicles seized for rash driving will be released only after the festival concludes.

In Patna, there are 70 puja pandals. Some of the big pandals are at Dak Bungalow, Bailey Road (Rukkanpura), Boring Road, Sri Krishna Puri puja pandal, R-Block, Bangali Akhara, Machua Toli.