A Ganesh idol being loaded on a vehicle to be taken to a puja pandal. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Aug. 30: Police have initiated a number of measures to ensure a peaceful Ganesh Chaturthi in the Millennium City.

Like in the previous year, the stress is on “community policing” and a series of meetings have been held in this regard. The meetings were held between various representatives of puja committees and clubs at the police station level. The suggestions of various puja committees and clubs observing the festival have been taken into account for the smooth conduct of Ganesh puja on Friday.

“We welcome the initiative of the police to involve the people to extend support for the smooth conduct of festivals starting from Ganesh puja to Dushera,” said Rajkishore Parida, secretary of Club and Club.

Parida said the police had clamped restrictions on the use of loudspeakers after 10pm. Various puja committees have been told not to cross the sound limit of 65 decibels.

Senior officials said as adequate emphasis was being given on people’s participation during such festivals, it enables them to maintain law and order besides dealing with other exigencies.

Ganesh puja is observed at more than 500 puja pandals and by various big and small clubs in the city.

“A central meeting was held, which was attended by representatives of various puja committees and clubs to chalk out a plan for ensuring peaceful celebration,” said deputy commissioner of police Praveen Kumar. Measures have been taken for both Ganesh Puja and Id, which would either be observed on the same day or a day before, he said.

Adequate forces would be deployed at strategic locations and patrolling during the entire festival would be intensified. Special arrangements have been made for the immersion of the idols in three phases starting from September 10, 18 and 25.

Preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi have reached the final stage in the city. Ganesh idols made of rice, earthen lamps would be the centre of attraction this time.

Besides this, huge replicas of Qutub Minar, Sinhadwara (lion gate) in Puri are other attractions at Manisahu Chhak.

“Despite the bad weather, there has been no decrease in the enthusiasm of youngsters who are making a beeline to the shops to purchase ganesh idols of different shape and sizes,” said Sankarshan Behera, an artisan from Kumbhar Sahi.

Many artisans are still giving final touches to idols that they have received orders for. The price of Ganesh idols range between Rs 50 and Rs 10,000.