Patna: Ahead of the Chhath Mahaparv, Patna Smart City has stepped up security measures by installing 187 surveillance cameras across 35 Ganga Ghats to monitor crowd movement and ensure the safety of devotees. The Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) in Patna will serve as the central hub for live monitoring, enabling real-time response to any suspicious activity or emergency.
Officials said that the cameras, a mix of PTZ (pan, tilt, and zoom) and fixed models, have been strategically placed at key locations including Collectorate Ghat, Mahendru Ghat, Kali Ghat, Bans Ghat, Patna College Ghat, Kangan Ghat, Minar Ghat, Nozar Katra, Patipul Ghat, and J.P. Setu Ghat, among others. Footage from these sites will be continuously observed by ICCC staff, who will alert security personnel on the ground in case of any irregularities.
To further strengthen the arrangements, temporary control rooms are being set up at NIT Ghat, Minar Ghat, Patipul Ghat, and Ghat No. 93. These will be jointly managed by officials from the district administration and Bihar Police. The move aims to ensure swift coordination during the festival, which draws massive crowds of devotees offering arghya to the setting and rising sun.
Public address systems are also being used to spread awareness about safety and cleanliness during the festivities. According to officials, 69 PA systems have been installed across the city, including 16 at the Ganga Ghats, where continuous announcements and jingles remind citizens about maintaining hygiene and following security protocols.
