Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: The annual Durga Puja celebrations concluded in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack with thousands of devotees participating in immersion processions of Maa Durga on Friday.
In Bhubaneswar, the processions by four major Bhasani Committees – Saheed Nagar, Nayapalli, Chandrashekharpur and Old Town – began on pre-designated routes in noon and continued late into the night amid intermittent rains. Due to restrictions on loud music, many organisers used traditional instruments and cultural performances.
The idol immersion was carried out at six designated ponds, of which two were repaired after being damaged in heavy rains, to check pollution of waterbodies and rivers.
In Cuttack, large crowds gathered at key immersion points like Devigada ghat, where a temporary pond ensured eco-friendly immersions.
Bhubaneswar hosted 193 community pujas, while Cuttack had 160.
To manage the events, 122 police platoons, CCTV, drones, bomb disposal, and anti-terror squads were deployed, with traffic restrictions in place. A special 60-member police team, CTC 60, monitored sound levels, ensuring compliance with the 60-decibel limit.
Fire services and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force personnel were also present to ensure safety.
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