Siliguri, Oct. 1: Police today came to the aid of pandal-hoppers in town with two guide maps.

The maps, one for Siliguri and Pradhannagar areas, and the other for Bhaktinagar, show direction of traffic movement, the locations of police assistance booths, helpline numbers, the names of big pandals and where they are located and the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ for pandal-hoppers.

In the wake of recent blasts across the country, Kundanlal Tamta, the inspector-general of police, north Bengal, who released the maps, stressed on tight vigil.

“I have requested all Puja organisers to keep a close watch on any abandoned articles on the roadside or inside pandals and also to look out for any suspicious gathering. If an unclaimed article, like a bag, tiffin box or any container is found, it should immediately be reported to the nearest police booth or the police station.”

About 250 pujas will be held in Siliguri, Pradhannagar and Bhaktinagar areas this year. Of them, 42 pandals have been identified as big ones that can draw huge crowd.

During Pujas, 21 police assistance booths will be set up in Siliguri and Pradhannagar areas, nine in Bhaktinagar and one in New Jalpaiguri areas. All the booths will have separate telephone numbers and guide maps.

Traffic restrictions will be imposed on all major roads from 4pm to 3am during the four days of Puja.

According to Tamta, plainclothes men will keep watch over vital installations like bridges, railway stations, bus terminus, offices and shopping malls. “We will check every vehicle at the five crossings in town.”

The official said six additional companies of police personnel would be deployed in the six districts of north Bengal to maintain law and order during Pujas. The police stations along the border have been told to keep in touch with the corresponding border forces to check infiltration.