The River Police in Dhaka have announced enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of devotees and visitors during the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja festival. Mohammad Rezaul Karim, chief of the River Police, emphasized around-the-clock vigilance to facilitate a secure and peaceful celebration along the waterways.

Karim made these remarks while inaugurating the first phase of the Youth Force Development and National Security Capability Enhancement Pilot Project at a special meeting held Sunday at the River Police Headquarters. The meeting focused on preparing security arrangements for the traditional Bengali festival, which draws large gatherings for rituals such as idol immersion.

To prevent accidents and overcrowding, Karim instructed authorities to strictly monitor passenger limits on boats and complete the immersion activities within the designated timeframe. He also called for the availability of life jackets and essential rescue equipment on all vessels operating in festival areas.

The gathering reviewed plans for maintaining safety at puja mandaps, ferry ghats, and waterways—key locations where large crowds are expected. Enhanced patrols will be deployed at critical points, and control rooms will conduct continuous 24-hour monitoring to quickly address any incidents.

Senior River Police officials joined representatives from various Puja organizing committees during the meeting to coordinate efforts and ensure effective implementation of security protocols throughout the festival period. The measures aim to mitigate risks associated with large congregations near the river, particularly during the immersion process, which sees significant boat traffic.

This proactive approach by the River Police underscores the importance of safeguarding participants in one of the region’s major religious and cultural events, reinforcing public confidence in navigating waterways safely during Durga Puja celebrations.