Round-the-clock CCTV surveillance will be compulsory at all Durga Puja pandals in Guwahati this year, as the Kamrup (Metro) district administration and police have issued a detailed set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering security, fire safety, traffic regulation, crowd management, and environmental protection.
The guidelines come amid an expected rise in the number of Durga Puja pandals across the city, which is projected to increase from 506 last year to between 550 and 600 this year.
Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner Swapneel Paul stated that the SOPs were prepared following consultations with various stakeholders, including members of the public. He said the regulations would remain in force throughout the four days of the festival.
Highlighting public safety, Paul said adequate lighting and CCTV surveillance would be mandatory in areas with heavy footfall. He also stressed that pandals must not obstruct roads or public movement and that all necessary fire safety measures must be in place.
Under the SOPs, puja committees are required to submit the names and contact details of their volunteers to local police stations. Volunteers must wear identity cards while on duty. Committees must also obtain permissions from police and other concerned authorities, including Civil Defence and Security Personnel, before organising celebrations.
Temporary electricity connections will require prior approval from the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL). The guidelines further prohibit construction of pandals that block roads, footpaths, bylanes, traffic movement, or pedestrian access.
Parking will not be allowed within 100 metres of any puja pandal, while the movement of heavy vehicles across Guwahati will remain restricted between 2 pm and 2 am during the festival period.
For crowd management and emergency preparedness, committees must establish help desks and medical desks, maintain adequate emergency exits, and ensure unobstructed access routes for fire tenders. Fire extinguishers, sand, and water must be kept readily available, while contact numbers of police and fire services should be prominently displayed.
The SOPs also limit microphone volume to a maximum of 60 decibels and prohibit the use of DJ music. Organisers must provide sufficient lighting and drinking water facilities and display banners discouraging alcohol and tobacco consumption.
Committees will be responsible for maintaining cleanliness within and around their pandals. Prior permission will be required for cultural programmes and stage installations. The administration has also prohibited committees from demanding donations, offerings, or sponsorship contributions.
The guidelines include strict norms for idol immersion. The use of banned materials such as plastic, thermocol, and polythene is prohibited, and organisers must ensure that plastic items and clothing are not discarded into water bodies during immersion.
This year, idol immersion will not be permitted at Soonchali Ghat. Instead, immersions will take place only at designated locations including Lachit Ghat, Pandu Ghat, and Basistha Ghat.
Immersion activities must be completed during daylight hours, and only five representatives from each puja committee will be allowed to accompany an idol. Police must also be informed in advance if any VIP is expected to visit a pandal.
Paul said designated routes would be followed for idol immersion processions to ensure smooth traffic flow and prevent congestion.
The SOPs will remain effective throughout the Durga Puja celebrations, with authorities focusing on surveillance, public safety, traffic management, fire preparedness, and environmental conservation across Guwahati.
