Bhubaneswar: With Durga Puja fast approaching, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed its officials to complete repair of damaged roads and resolve electricity-related issues near the pandals across the city within seven days.
A preparatory meeting, chaired by BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, reviewed arrangements for the orderly conduct of the festival. BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana, Additional Commissioners Sasmita Sahu and Kailash Chandra Das, chairpersons of all standing committees, corporators, the City Engineer, Chief Fire Officer, other BMC officials and representatives of various Durga Puja committees attended the meeting.
Senior officers from the Commissionerate Police, Traffic, Roads and Buildings Department, TPCODL, WATCO and Fire Services were also present, along with zonal commissioners, deputy commissioners, executive engineers and assistant commissioners of the civic body.
Officials said discussions focussed on coordinated planning, infrastructure readiness, public safety, traffic management, sanitation and idol immersion arrangements. Puja committee representatives highlighted the poor condition of roads, potholes and non-functional streetlights in several areas. They also requested the removal of encroachments and overhanging tree branches to facilitate the smooth movement of processions during immersion.
In response, the BMC has restricted agencies such as GAIL, WATCO and TPCODL to repairing only those roads that have already been dug up, with no fresh excavation permitted at present. As in previous years, temporary ponds have been created at five locations along the Kuakhai and Daya rivers for the immersion of idols.
Police and puja committees have sought adequate lighting at these sites, widening of approach roads and improved facilities, including additional cranes and JCB machines to ensure orderly immersion.
The civic body has identified 36 parking areas to manage the expected rush of devotees. Special attention will be given to fire safety, and arrangements have also been planned for Ravan Dahan.
TPCODL has been asked to remove loose and dangling electrical wires along roads to prevent accidents during the festivities.
For security, the capital has been divided into three sectors. Forty platoons of police force will be deployed under the leadership of 300 officers. Three companies of CRPF personnel, along with striking forces, NDRF teams, Quick Action Teams and Quick Response Teams, will assist in maintaining law and order throughout the festival period.