Kendrapara: With only two days left for Laxmi Puja, preparations are on in full swing in Kendrapara district.
The Gajalaxmi Puja festival will be a nine-day affair, including two days for immersion. The idols will be worshipped at puja pandals from October 24 to 30. Immersions will be held October 31 and November 1.
Around 67 puja pandals are expected to be erected in the town and the tableaux will take part in a two-day immersion procession, said sub-collector Sanjay Kumar Mishra.
Artisans and Puja organisers who are busy decorating street corner altars giving final touches to idols have apparently failed to take note of a crucial aspect – fire safety measure.
The town has started working overtime keeping in mind that Laxmi Puja pandals will turn into beehives of action, said Ashok Kumar Lenka, secretary of the New Bus Stand based Thanapati Laxmi Puja Committee.
All senior officials have been instructed to ensure hassle-free services during the festival.
CESU has been asked to ensure continuous power supply and to raise the height of supply lines as they have been hanging low. The PHED has been instructed to ensure steady water supply.
The district administration has made it clear to puja organisers that loudspeakers (not more than 65 decibels) should be properly synchronised.
Excise regulations would be enforced strictly during immersions and traffic restrictions will be in force from October 24 till the immersions are over.
Adequate police arrangements will be made to check lawlessness, said Collector Dasarathi Satapathy.
The people of Kendrapara are all set to enjoy every minute of the festival. Most puja committees are organising cultural shows, Bhajan and musical nites to keep the crowds in good humour.
As the district is known for communal tension, police are beefing up security to prevent untoward incidents. The entire town will be under CCTV surveillance, said SP Niti Sekhar.
The police have made foolproof security arrangements to ensure peace, and have put in place teams for night patrols, mobile patrols, motorcycle patrolling and quick response.
The police have set up a special squad to check eve-teasing, mischief mongers and anti-socials who might create disturbance, superintendent of police Niti Sekhar said. Plainclothes policemen will be deployed at pandals and crowded places.
The administration has urged all puja organisers to cooperate with it to prevent law and order problems, said sub-collector Mishra.
PNN
