The West Tripura district administration has tightened safety and crowd-management guidelines for the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations, prohibiting the use of high-volume sound systems and DJ boxes in crowded areas and warning of strict legal action against violations. The administration has also directed puja committees to strengthen security arrangements, install CCTV cameras, ensure emergency lighting and deploy adequate volunteers to assist visitors.
The directives were issued at a coordination meeting organised by the West Tripura district administration at Hall No. 1 of Prajna Bhavan on Monday. The meeting was attended by West Tripura District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar, Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak, Traffic Superintendent Kanta Jangir, Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Maniklal Das, officials from various departments and representatives of puja committees and clubs.
Addressing the meeting, District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that Sharadotsav is celebrated in a peaceful, orderly and enjoyable atmosphere. He said the administration had issued a set of guidelines to safeguard devotees and visitors, particularly children, elderly people and those with health conditions.
Emphasising noise control, the District Magistrate said the restriction on high-volume sound systems and DJ boxes applied to crowded areas, where excessive noise could pose risks to public health and safety. He warned that violations would invite strict legal action and instructed Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) and designated nodal officers to ensure enforcement. He referred to a reported incident in Pune in which a child allegedly died of a heart attack during immersion festivities amid excessive noise, stressing the need for greater sensitivity towards vulnerable people.
The District Magistrate also asked puja organisers to arrange alternative power backup systems or inverters to prevent sudden power failures at pandals. Committees unable to make such arrangements were advised to install emergency lights capable of providing illumination for at least four to five hours.
He stressed the importance of deploying sufficient volunteers familiar with the locality and suggested that they wear distinctive caps or other visible identification marks so that visitors could easily seek assistance. Organisers were also instructed to prominently display emergency contact numbers of the police, Agartala Municipal Corporation and the respective puja committees at pandal entrances and exits.
Each club has been directed to install at least two to three CCTV cameras to monitor entry and exit points and the interiors of pandals. The administration also advised organisers to use brightly coloured fluorescent signboards, such as orange or light green, to clearly indicate entry and exit routes.
To strengthen emergency medical preparedness, medium-sized and large puja committees were urged to arrange ambulances with temporary drivers, particularly during peak hours over the next five to six days, to ensure prompt response to medical emergencies.
West Tripura Superintendent of Police Namit Pathak said the police administration had completed the necessary preparations to ensure peaceful and secure Durga Puja celebrations across the district. He also said no complaints regarding extortion for puja subscriptions had been received so far.
Traffic restrictions from October 17 to 21
Traffic Superintendent Kanta Jangir announced that a 'No Entry' restriction would be in force from October 17 to October 21, between 5 pm and 1 am each day. During these hours, movement in areas covered by the restriction will be regulated, and vehicles requiring entry must carry valid passes issued by the competent authority.
She said the Traffic SP's office would publish a detailed traffic map and guidelines through the media to inform residents, commuters and puja organisers about the restrictions and regulated routes.
The Traffic Superintendent also urged puja committees and residents not to leave bricks, sand or other construction materials on roads or in front of pandals, warning that such obstructions could disrupt traffic and hinder emergency services. Organisers were asked to facilitate green corridors wherever required to allow ambulances and other emergency vehicles to move without obstruction.
Dr. Sukhendu Nath from the office of the Chief Medical Officer of West Tripura said outpatient departments at various hospitals across the state would remain open on October 19, 22 and 24. Medical teams would also be deployed during the Durga idol immersion carnival and at Dashamighat.
Other officials present at the meeting included Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited AGM Pradip Sutradhar, representatives of the Tripura State Pollution Control Board, Agartala Municipal Corporation Assistant Municipal Commissioner Kishore Sarkar, and representatives of various puja committees and clubs.
The district administration appealed to all puja organisers, residents and other stakeholders to comply with the prescribed guidelines and cooperate with the authorities to ensure safe, peaceful and hassle-free Durga Puja celebrations.
