Bhubaneswar: Anticipating a surge in late-night revellers during Durga Puja, commissionerate police have decided to strengthen security deployment at puja pandals after midnight to ensure safety of visitors and better crowd management.The issue of skeletal police deployment during late-night hours in previous years was raised by puja organisers during a preparatory meeting with senior police officers here on Thursday. Organisers pointed out that a large number of devotees prefer visiting pandals after midnight to avoid peak-hour crowds and traffic congestion.“In previous years, footfall remained high even after midnight. However, limited police presence often affected crowd management and public safety arrangements,” said S K Swain, a puja organiser.Police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh assured organisers that adequate security arrangements would be made to maintain law and order, ensure smooth traffic flow, facilitate peaceful immersion ceremonies and provide a safe environment for devotees throughout the festivities.The commissionerate police plan to deploy more than 80 platoons of police personnel, a company of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and over 300 officers for smooth conduct of the festival.Around 193 puja pandals are expected to come up across Bhubaneswar this year. Special security arrangements would be made at 24 major puja venues known for their elaborate decorations and display of expensive ornaments, which attract large crowds.Singh stressed the need for robust safety measures, particularly for women, along with effective crowd and traffic management. As part of the plan, plainclothes police teams would be deployed at key locations, including Nayapalli, Saheed Nagar, Rasulgarh, Old Station Bazar, Bomikhal and Baramunda, to prevent harassment and respond swiftly to complaints.“Control rooms would be set up at major puja mandaps to facilitate quick action in case of emergencies or law-and-order issues,” Singh said.The high efficiency response squad, the commissionerate police’s specialised unit for women’s safety, would remain on high alert throughout the festival. The squad would respond promptly to complaints related to harassment.