Following heated student union election campaigns, Odisha’s political landscape has shifted directly to Durga Puja mandaps.
With municipal elections on the horizon, leaders across party lines—including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Opposition Leader Naveen Patnaik, and PCC President—are visiting pandals across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to connect with voters.
While the ruling BJP looks to consolidate its influence and target local government bodies in the Twin Cities, the BJD aims to leverage public outreach to rebuild momentum after 24 years in power. Political analysts note that civic and municipal polls make these festive gatherings a critical platform for political parties to gauge public sentiment.
Strict Crackdown on Illegal Liquor and Food Safety Issues
To maintain law and order during the festive season, State Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced a special enforcement drive running from October 11 through October 31 to curb illegal liquor trade across all districts. Target enforcement goals have been issued to local officials to seize contraband and dismantle illegal networks.
Simultaneously, joint teams from the Food Safety Department and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) conducted surprise inspections near major mandaps. Over 3 quintals of stale food—including improperly stored frozen momos, reused cooking oil, and overnight biryani—were seized and destroyed to protect public health.
High Security and Traffic Controls in Place
Following recent crowd management issues elsewhere in the country, the Commissionerate Police has implemented strict safety protocols for Twin City mandaps. Over 140 platoons of police have been deployed across Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh and Bhubaneswar DCP visited major pandals to review crowd management, structural stability, electrical safety, and fire compliance.
“Safety certificates, CCTV installations, and trained volunteers are mandatory for all Puja committees. Failure to meet these safety requirements will result in strict enforcement action,” emphasized Police Commissioner Singh.
Despite traffic restrictions, heavy congestion remains a challenge along key thoroughfares in Bhubaneswar, where ornate welcome arches and large crowds have slowed evening commutes. Authorities continue to request cooperation from both public visitors and organizers to ensure a safe and orderly celebration.
