Naval Police reviews waterway security ahead of Durga Puja

Naval Police tightens waterway safety plans for Durga Puja

Bdbusinessdaily.com – Security preparations are being reinforced on rivers and at ferry terminals as Durga Puja approaches, with Naval Police placing special attention on the movement of devotees, visitors and idol-immersion processions across Bangladesh’s waterways.

The force has reviewed security arrangements around puja mandaps, river routes and ferry ghats, while planning expanded patrol activity and continuous monitoring throughout the festival period. The measures are intended to support peaceful celebrations and reduce risks during the immersion of idols, when waterways can draw large crowds and increased boat traffic.

Naval Police Additional Inspector General Md Rezaul Karim led a preparatory meeting at the organisation’s Dhaka headquarters. Senior officials of the Naval Police joined representatives from the relevant Puja Celebration Committees to assess the operational arrangements needed for the festivities.

Focus on orderly idol immersion

A central concern of the meeting was maintaining discipline during idol immersion and preventing incidents on waterways connected to Durga Puja events. Immersion activities often involve groups travelling to riverbanks or using boats, making crowd control, vessel safety and emergency readiness important parts of the security plan.

Rezaul directed officials to remain vigilant throughout the day and night during the celebrations. He said the objective was to ensure that Hindu devotees and all visitors could take part in the festival in a secure and positive environment, including at waterfront locations.

Naval Police personnel will stay alert around the clock so that Hindu devotees and visitors can celebrate Durga Puja safely and joyfully on the waterways.

Officials were instructed to prevent excessive gathering at immersion sites and to make sure immersion is completed within the allotted time. Timely completion can help keep routes clear, limit congestion at ghats and allow authorities to manage the flow of people more effectively.

The instructions also stressed that boats must not take on passengers beyond their permitted capacity. Overloading can create serious safety concerns, particularly where large groups are travelling at the same time or where river conditions require careful handling by vessel operators.

Life jackets and rescue readiness

Naval Police has also emphasised the availability of life jackets and other essential rescue equipment. This requirement places emergency preparation alongside preventive security, recognising that safe celebrations depend not only on patrols and crowd management but also on the ability to respond quickly if help is needed.

For visitors using water routes, the arrangements underline several practical safety expectations: follow directions from security personnel, avoid boarding overcrowded vessels, use available safety equipment and allow extra time where busy immersion points are expected. Cooperation from participants can make it easier for authorities to keep movement orderly during peak periods.

The meeting decided that patrols would be strengthened at important locations along the waterways. A control room will also maintain 24-hour observation during the celebration period, creating a central point for monitoring developments and coordinating a response when necessary.

Continuous control-room monitoring is designed to help authorities track conditions at key river points, ferry ghats and other areas affected by festival activity. It can also support communication between patrol teams and officials responsible for supervising local arrangements.

Festival committees back the plan

Representatives of the Puja Celebration Committees attending the discussion expressed satisfaction with the preparations and the security steps being put in place. They also pledged to comply with the safety guidance issued for the occasion.

That cooperation is particularly significant during immersion events, which depend on coordination between organisers, participants, boat operators and law-enforcement personnel. Clear instructions on crowd size, designated timing and vessel capacity can help reduce confusion at busy locations.

The preparations reflect a broader effort to combine festival security with waterway safety. Puja mandaps and associated gathering places require public-order measures, while river routes and ghats require added attention to transport, rescue equipment and the management of large numbers of people near water.

By increasing patrol coverage, keeping the control room active at all hours and requiring safety equipment to be on hand, Naval Police aims to provide a more secure setting for Durga Puja observances. The plan places particular importance on ensuring that the final immersion phase proceeds in an organised manner, with participants able to observe the festival while following measures intended to protect lives on the water.