PATNA: The district administration has beefed up security in and around the city to avoid any untoward incident during Durga Puja. Lakhs of devotees from Patna and other parts of the state throng Puja pandals in the city every year.“We have divided Patna district into six zones and 1,000 magistrates have been assigned duty to ensure peaceful Puja. Altogether 400 magistrates have been deployed in urban areas of Patna alone. Police officers have been asked to remain alert to meet any eventuality. Steps have also been taken for smooth traffic flow in the city during the festivities,” Patna district magistrate ( DM ) Kumar Ravi said.Patna senior superintendent of police ( SSP ) Manu Maharaaj said more than 5,000 police personnel will be deployed at various locations in the city during the last three days of the Puja.The SSP said adequate police personnel would be deployed at the places which record large turnout of devotees. “Prominent locations, such as Dak Bungalow roundabout, Boring Road, Ashok Rajpath and Bailey Road will be manned by policemen. We have made all necessary arrangements to ensure peaceful Puja,” the SSP added.Maharaaj said five teams have been formed to prevent rash driving. “Ten quick response teams, 20 dolphin mobile and 80 cycle teams will patrol the city. Rapid Action Force jawans and policemen in plainclothes will keep an eye on suspected activities of people,” he added.The DM said the Puja organisers have been asked to complete idol immersion by October 20, a day after the Ravan Vadh programme on October 19.The administration has also identified the ghats which record maximum crowd on Dussehra. These ghats include Collectorate Ghat, Gai Ghat, Digha Ghat, Bhadra Ghat and Patipul Ghat. “Police personnel will be deployed at these ghats to manage crowd,” Ravi said.The barricading of Gandhi Maidan, where Ravan Vadh ceremony is organised every year, is going on in full swing. Lakhs of people gather at the historic ground to watch the fireworks.Patna traffic SP P N Mishra said entry of heavy vehicles would be restricted in the city from Tuesday evening onwards.

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