Over 1k cops deployed, multi-layered security in place for Ram Navami in city today

Patna: With Ram Navami celebrations expected to draw massive crowds, Patna police and the district administration have put in place a multi-layered security arrangement across the city to ensure a peaceful and incident-free festival. The plan includes deployment of heavy police force, drones, CCTV surveillance and traffic diversions.

According to officials, key locations under close watch include Mahavir Mandir near Patna Junction, Dak Bungalow Square, Bailey Road, Boring Road, Rajbanshi Nagar and the historic Jalla Hanuman Mandir in Patna City. Modern technology is being used for real-time monitoring, with drones and CCTV cameras keeping a constant vigil on sensitive areas and potential trouble spots.

Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma said, “Around 1,500 police personnel have been deployed at key places. There are two parts to the security plan — the first is temple darshan, which begins from Thursday night when devotees queue up, and the second is the procession on Friday evening. Accordingly, forces have been deployed at all identified locations. Traffic diversions have also been put in place and surveillance cameras installed.”

The police have set up seven temporary control rooms, including at Dak Bungalow Crossing, Mahavir Mandir and R-Block, besides other points along the entire procession route. These control rooms will help in quick mobilisation of forces if required. Separate help units have also been formed to assist devotees who may get separated or lost in the crowd, he said.

To prevent the risk of a stampede, the prasad distribution counter at Mahavir Mandir has been shifted away from the main temple premises. “Barricades and dedicated counters have been put in place to ensure smooth crowd movement,” the SSP told this newspaper on Thursday.

Detailing further deployment, Sharma said, “Apart from 1,500 police personnel, two companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed, along with additional forces mobilised internally from the district. Around 36 mobile units and bike patrol teams have been specifically assigned for Ram Navami duties.”

Five drones are being used for real-time aerial surveillance — one near Mahavir Mandir and others at Dak Bungalow, Chiraiyatand Pul, Income Tax Golambar and near Kotwali police station.

He added that CCTV cameras have been activated along sensitive stretches, while the cyber police wing will monitor social media platforms closely to prevent the spread of rumours or misinformation. The emergency response number 112 will remain fully operational.

The SSP urged devotees to cooperate with the authorities. “All necessary steps have been taken for a peaceful and hassle-free celebration. People are requested to follow traffic diversions, cooperate with security personnel and avoid unnecessary crowding,” he said.

Traffic restrictions have been imposed on key routes and designated parking zones created for devotees. From 5 pm on Friday, operation of all e-rickshaws and autos will be prohibited on Bailey Road from Boring Road crossing towards IT Golambar during the arrival of tableaux.

Passengers heading to Gandhi Maidan have been advised to use Rajapur Pul to reach Boring Road intersection, while those travelling towards Patna Junction should take R-Block, GPO flyover or Chiraiyatand flyover routes.

Designated parking facilities include Miller High School ground on Beerchand Patel Path, Bihar State Road Transport Corporation premises, roadside stretches of Beerchand Patel Path, Mauryalok Complex (VIP parking), Multi-Modal Hub near GPO for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, and Buddha Smriti Park for two-wheelers only.

Parking of all vehicles has been strictly prohibited in and around Station Golambar. Special arrangements have been made to manage heavy footfall around Mahavir Mandir. Devotees carrying prasad will enter from the western gate of Veer Kunwar Singh Park near R-Block, move through the park and GPO Golambar for darshan, and exit via Dak Bungalow or Goriya Toli Road.

No vehicles will be allowed from R-Block towards GPO and Patna Junction, and entry of all vehicles has been prohibited near the temple up to the cinema hall east of Patna Junction Golambar. Traffic movement between Dak Bungalow Square and Patna Junction will remain suspended. Vehicles approaching the station from Goriya Toli and Karbighaiya will have to take a U-turn at Jamal Road.

Meanwhile, the East Central Railway (ECR) has stepped up security at all stations ahead of Ram Navami on Friday, and placed Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel on high alert to ensure smooth and safe movement of passengers, particularly at busy and sensitive stations, railway officials said.

According to ECR’s principal chief security commissioner-cum-IG, RPF, Amaresh Kumar, apart from Patna Junction, heightened security arrangements have been put in place at Danapur, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Patliputra Junction, Sitamarhi, Janakpur Road, Simri Bakhtiyarpur, Badlaghat, Darbhanga, Hajipur, Gaya and several other stations. “RPF personnel have been directed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance through CCTV cameras at all major stations,” he said.