Cuttack: Over 50 platoons of policemen will be deployed during the nine-day-long famous historic ‘Balijatra’ festival commencing tomorrow in the city.
“In view of the large crowd expected during the historic Balijatra being held from November 8-16 we have made elaborate police arrangements. Initially, more than 50 platoons of policemen will be deployed,” informed Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Pinak Mishra addressing a presser here today.
The DCP said that in addition to the over 50 platoons of police force and officers of the district more than 100 officers have been mobilized from outside for deployment.
Police arrangements have been made taking into consideration different aspects.
“Police arrangements have been made taking into consideration different aspects, the first being crowd control, and security at the Balijatra ground. Second is incoming traffic,” Mishra said.
People from different places will be visiting Balijatra and more footfall is expected during the nine-day-long trade fair this year since the event was not held during the last two years due to the Corona pandemic.
“People from different places will be visiting Balijatra, keeping that in mind we have attempted to put a foolproof traffic arrangement in place. Parking spaces have been identified. People will be required to park their vehicles in the parking spaces and either walk to the venue or use the shuttle service using e-rickshaws. a total of eight parking places have been identified. It will start from Biju Patnaik Park, Bhuasuni field, Gora Kabar Padia, Christian Padia, the area near Cantonment Police Station, etc have been earmarked for parking. Parking space will be provided on a first-come-first-serve basis,” Mishra elaborated.
The DCP said that for the safety and security of the visitors and crowd management 20 police aid posts have been put up by the Commissionerate Police.
In addition to that four Police Support Centres have been set up wherein various facilities will be available to visitors, he added.
“In Police Support Centres there will be enclosures for children who have been lost. There will be special teams to deal with complaints from women in case there is eve-teasing or indecent remarks. Keeping in mind problems faced by the differently-abled and elderly, the police have made arrangements including the provision of wheelchairs. While three of such centres are located in Lower Balijatra ground, one is located in Upper Balijatra ground,” Mishra explained.
Both Lower Balijatra and Upper Balijatra grounds have been divided into different sectors and police will be deployed in both vertical and horizontal lanes, he added.
