Elaborate arrangements from security to jetties have been made for the smooth immersion of Durga idols at the ghats along the Brahmaputra here on Friday.
Immersion ghats — Kachomarighat and Pandu — where thousands turn out are controlled by the district administration with the cooperation of the Inland Waterways Transport department and Inland Waterways Authority of India with the assistance of local Puja committees while immersion at Saukuchi, Sunsali and Basistha ghats is controlled by local communities.
“Elaborate preparations have been made at Kachomarighat, with three temporary jetties and 200 labourers for immersion. Idol-carrying vehicles can enter and unload the idols in the designated area. Portable toilets, a medical camp and a control room have been set up. The area has been declared plastic and tobacco-free,” IWT section officer Ranjan Mahanta told The Telegraph.
SDRF, NDRF and river police will be deployed on the Brahmaputra for emergencies while Assam Police, CRPF and homeguards personnel will be on duty on the road leading to the ghat. Similar arrangements have been made at Pandu and Sunsali ghats.
Idol-carrying vehicles will not be allowed on B. Barooah Road, from Ulubari to TC Point and GNB Road from TC point to RBI. Those from Dispur and Kahilipara have to take Zoo Road and MR Dewan Road to Guwahati Club. Those from Chandmari will be diverted from Guwahati Club via MC Road, FC Road and MG Road. Idol-carrying vehicles from Kumarpara and Fatasil will move through AT Road, TRP Road and MG Road to Kachomarighat. Idol-carrying vehicles from Maligaon, Jalukbari and Pandu will move to Pandughat for immersion.
Vehicles from Chandmari to Jalukbari will be allowed through GNB Road, TC point, RBI and left through Panbazar overbridge to AT Road. No right turns are allowed from District Library. Vehicles from Jalukbari to Noonmati or Dispur will be diverted via TRP Road and AT Road from Apollo near Bharalumukh.
MS Road, TRP Road, HB Road, MLN Road, MG Road, B. Barooah Road, MC Road, FC Road, MRD Road, GNB Road, GS Road and RG Baruah Road have been designated no-parking areas. For spectators from Chandmari, Paltan Bazar and Dispur, parking will be allowed on ARB Road, Dr JC Das Road, SS Road and SRCB Road. For those from Bharalumukh, parking will be allowed on MG Road.
Deputy commissioner Virendra Mittal has appealed to Puja committees to maintain discipline and avoid playing loud music while proceeding for immersion.
