Patna : With Durga Puja 2026 just days away, authorities in Bihar have issued directions covering electrical safety, fire preparedness and traffic management at puja pandals and crowded festival sites.
The Energy Department has asked officials to take preventive measures to avoid electrical accidents during the celebrations. On October 3, the department’s secretary directed electricity officials to replace damaged wires, secure exposed wires in crowded areas and remove electrical hazards near puja pandals.
The measures are aimed at ensuring safe electricity supply and preventing accidents at crowded festival locations.
Fire Certificate Required For Large Pandals In Patna
In Patna, puja pandals covering more than 300 square metres must obtain a fire-safety certificate from the Fire Services Department.
Pandal organisers have also been directed to ensure necessary electrical safety clearances. Fire-fighting arrangements, adequate entry and exit points and provisions for safe evacuation during an emergency will be important requirements.
Rules may vary across districts, and organisers and visitors should follow the latest directions issued by their respective district administrations.
Traffic Restrictions May Be Imposed
Large crowds around pandals and mela grounds are expected to increase traffic pressure during the festival. Depending on local requirements, district administrations and police authorities may introduce route diversions, barricading, designated parking arrangements and restrictions on vehicle entry.
Visitors should avoid parking vehicles on roads, entering restricted routes or violating traffic regulations. Violations can lead to challans or other action under applicable traffic rules.
However, traffic arrangements may differ from one city or district to another, so visitors should check local orders before travelling to crowded puja areas.
DJ And Sound Restrictions May Apply
Local administrations may also issue separate directions concerning DJ use, loud sound, public safety and crowd management during Durga Puja.
In Bhabua, Kaimur, for example, directions issued during preparations included restrictions on DJ use, a ban on obscene songs and the installation of CCTV cameras at major puja pandals.
Such restrictions are not necessarily uniform across Bihar. Puja committees and visitors should therefore follow the latest instructions issued by their local administration.
What Visitors And Puja Committees Should Keep In Mind
Visitors should use designated parking areas, follow traffic diversions and avoid entering barricaded or restricted zones. They should also follow instructions from police and volunteers at crowded pandals.
Puja committees, meanwhile, need to ensure that fire-safety arrangements, electrical installations, entry and exit routes and emergency evacuation provisions are in place before large gatherings take place.
With thousands of devotees expected at pandals and festival venues across Bihar, authorities are focusing on preventive measures to keep celebrations safe and minimise risks linked to electricity, fire, traffic and overcrowding.
