Lucknow, Nov 6 – Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted a comprehensive review of security preparations by Varanasi Commissionerate Police for Dev Deepawali on November 12. An estimated five lakh tourists are expected to gather in Kashi for the occasion, prompting extensive security measures.
Officials informed the CM that Kashi’s 84 ghats are divided into 9 zones, 11 sectors, and 32 sub-sectors. Seven prominent ghats, including Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Ahilyabai Ghat, Rajghat, Chetsingh Ghat, Namo Ghat, and Panchganga Ghat, are expected to have high attendance during Dev-Diwali.
Security arrangements include deploying police teams on narrow streets adjoining these ghats. Twenty Quick Response Team units and eleven specialized teams with loudhailers will be stationed strategically. Anti-Romeo Squad teams will be present at seventeen major ghats, and women police teams will be stationed at each ghat. Sixteen divers will be on standby for water rescues.
Approximately 1,200 boats will operate in the Ganga on Dev Diwali, offering tourists a grand view of the ghats. Barricading will be done at five key locations for effective crowd management. Eleven pink booths for women’s safety, integrated emergency help desks at seven locations, and a separate security strategy for Kashi Vishwanath Temple have been planned.
Anti-Terrorist Squad teams, intelligence personnel in plain clothes, NDRF, and Municipal Corporation teams with water ambulances will be deployed. Five teams of water police will patrol the Ganga with dragon lights, loudhailers, rescue equipment, and wireless sets.
