Bhubaneswar, Oct. 8: Durga Puja celebrations picked up pace in the twin cities today with people in colourful clothes thronging the pandals on the day of Mahasaptami.
In Bhubaneswar, the pandals at Saheed Nagar, Nayapalli and Jharapada were the main crowd pullers. In Cuttack, the Chouhdary puja mandap and the one at Cuttack Chandni Chhak were the main attractions. Harlequin lights could be seen from a distance at most of the mandaps where loud music played along with the chanting of mantras in honour of the goddess.
Security was tight in both cities with police deploying a special tactical unit besides three quick reaction teams and a strike force at strategic locations.
Police commissioner Y.B. Khurania said security would be high throughout the Pujas with nearly 65 platoons of police force deployed on the ground.
Sources said director general of police, K.B. Singh had requested the Union government to provide four companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) for deployment during the Pujas. Seven additional deputy commissioner rank officers, 39 assistant commissioner of police, 58 inspectors, 363 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors and 682 home guards are on duty in the twin cities during the Pujas and some pre-emptive arrests were made in advance to keep troublemakers at bay.
To keep a close watch on criminal elements, CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic points including the pandals. Surveillance is also being maintained on crowded market places, hotels, restaurants and malls. In Cuttack alone, 50 CCTVs have been put in place with special emphasis on providing protection to idols decorated with silver and gold backdrops.
In Bhubaneswar, 23 platoons of police have been deployed to ensure security during the festivities. Bhubaneswar deputy commissioner of police Satyabrat Bhoi said there were 10 sensitive zones in the city that would be kept under special watch. Special squads have been posted at major pandals including those at Jharapada, Saheed Nagar and Nayapalli. The cops are being assisted by volunteers provided by the Puja committees.
Tight security has brightened up the Puja mood with devotees belonging to all age groups visiting the pandals with a sense of security that they lacked in the past. "Earlier, we used to be concerned about molesters and pickpockets but this time, there is no such fear with lots of security personnel standing guard at the pandals," said Monalisa Panda, who was at Nayapalli puja pandal, one of the most attractive in Bhubaneswar.
People were also seen shopping in malls and enjoying delicacies at eateries across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. "Shopping during the Pujas is such a pleasure and this time its all the better with security tight at market places," said Nupur Nayak, who was busy shopping with her mother at the Market Building in Bhubaneswar.
