Field officials at meeting to review crowd management, security plans for proposed air show
Varanasi: With preparations underway to manage crowds during the ongoing Navratri festivities, police have intensified efforts to implement a comprehensive crowd management plan for the proposed IAF air show, which is expected to draw up to 20 lakh people each day. Measures include setting up 79 temporary police stations, creating designated viewing zones, deploying barricades, preparing four traffic plans, identifying parking areas and establishing three green corridors to ensure uninterrupted ambulance movement to hospitals. In view of the expected massive turnout, 79 temporary police stations are being set up across Varanasi, including 48 in city areas and 31 along the ghats. Double barricading will be used where required, and spectator enclosures will be limited to 3,000 square metres for better crowd control.
NCC cadets, volunteers and women police personnel will assist with crowd management, while all staff have been instructed to address citizens respectfully as “Sir” and “Madam” and act on wireless inputs. He said citizens must face no inconvenience and all police personnel must report for duty on time. security arrangements in the trans-Ganga districts of Chandauli, Ghazipur and other adjoining areas are being reviewed by DIG Range Vaibhav Krishna While Varanasi police commissioner Mohit Agrawal is leading the arrangements within Varanasi. The CP directed daily reviews of preparations, physical verification of barricading at the ghats and strict attention to emergency exits. Weak or dilapidated buildings near the show area will be identified, and owners will be advised not to allow overcrowding on rooftops. Three green corridors will ensure uninterrupted ambulance movement to hospitals, including IMS-BHU, Trauma Centre BHU, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Shiv Prasad Gupta Hospital and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hospital. He also inspected Pachfedwa, Chakia Tiraha, Padao, Padao crossing, key approach roads and ghat areas, issuing instructions on traffic regulation and crowd control. The DIG directed officials to ensure smooth and safe movement of spectators, effective use of designated parking areas, alertness at duty points and prompt responses during emergencies. He stressed coordination among officers and strict adherence to assigned responsibilities.