This Chhath, cops would monitor the movement of devotees from 30 watchtowers and terrace of some private buildings dotting the water bodies.

District magistrate Anupam Kumar on Monday said the activities at the water bodies would be monitored from the watchtowers to avert any untoward incident during the festival. The administration would also record the rituals on video to track the trouble-mongers, if any.

The DM said he had ordered to ensure the ban on bursting of crackers to avoid stampede-like situation along the ponds, where thousands of devotees would congregate this year to offer arghya to the Sun God following the prohibition on performing rituals on the banks of “risky” Budhi Gandak. Policemen would be on the prowl to keep an eye on the people intentionally or unintentionally engaged in exploding crackers.

The district administration has imposed a ban on the sale and bursting of crackers during Chhath to avert any untoward incident during the biggest festival of the state.

Plying of private boats in water bodies would be prohibited on October 29 and 30 for safety. Only police boats would ply for surveillance.

Three motorboats would be pressed into service to ensure safety and security of devotees. Divers of the State Disaster Response Force have also been asked to be on duty.

The district administration on Monday appealed to the devotees to not to cross the safe zones in water bodies to be earmarked by ropes. The markings would be in place on October 29.