Puja security
Kolkata: For the first time ever, Kolkata is all set to host over 3,000 Durga Pujas this year. A total of 3,319 pujas will be held in the city this year, with almost 400 being added this year, according to Kolkata Police. Addressing a press meet at Lalbazar on Tuesday, police commissioner Ajay Nand stated that around 32,000 security personnel will be out on the road from Chaturthi. “Of these, 12,000 will be Kolkata Police personnel. We are also deploying 21,000 home guards besides civil defence and NCC cadets,” said Nand. The commissioner stated that of these, around 12,000 will be dedicated to keeping the traffic movement smooth. Kolkata Police have unveiled a comprehensive citywide security plan for over 3,000 pandals. To assist visitors arriving early in the day, cops will be posted across 27 major pandals, alongside police deployments at 10 to 15 smaller pandals per division.
Of these, around 247 pujas have been marked as “big” and have been mentioned in the Kolkata Police guide map, said cops. For the first time, special focus will be on managing heavy daytime footfall during the festive period.