DIBRUGARH, Oct 4 - The city, smarting from being branded India�s dirtiest town, is ready to host some of the most opulent Durga puja celebrations. Known for having the region�s several oldest Durga pujas, it is likely to witness unprecedented rush this time, given the opening of the rail-cum-road Bogibeel Bridge. In the city, almost 200 community pujas are being held this year.
Apart from the usual rush, additional crowd is expected from the north bank of the Brahmaputra via the bridge. The Bogibeel Bridge was thrown open to traffic on December 25, 2018. It is likely that devotees and revellers from the north bank could swarm the streets here to experience the Durga puja celebrations.
In anticipation of the huge crowd, the police administration has chalked out a multi-layered security for the city. Superintendent of Police Gautam Bora told The Assam Tribune that with the opening of the Bogibeel Bridge, the city will definitely see extra rush during the festive days. �We are anticipating huge crowd. Hence a multi-layered security arrangement has been planned. In view of the rush expected from the north bank via the Bogibeel Bridge besides the normal crowd, we have come up with a separate traffic management plan. It is slightly different from the previous years� traffic plans,� said the SP.
As for the maintenance of law and order and checking mischief mongers and anti-social elements, SP Bora said that all the police cells have been activated and that all units have been put on high alert.
Other than the VDP, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and available police and CRPF units, special rider cops and under cover police personnel will also be engaged for round the clock vigilance and surveillance. Our sole effort is to make Durga puja celebrations in the city a hassle free one,� said SP Bora.
The city�s Amollapatty Rajhuwa Namghar Durga Puja has stepped into the 149th year of its celebration and is regarded as the oldest within the municipality. Similarly, the community puja observed by India Club and Theatrical Institution is its 131st celebration. It is pertinent to mention that the Durga puja observed at Bokel tea estate, some five kilometres from here is over 160 years old.
The Marwaripatty Puja Samity�s puja mandap modelled as a dreamland on AT Road is celebrating its platinum jubilee this year. The puja mandap was inaugurated by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal last evening. Sonowal also inaugurated the Durga Puja mandap of Shree Shree Sarbajanik Puja Samity, Jhalukpara. The Durga puja festival organised by Shri Shri Sarbajanik Durga Puja Samity is in its 62nd year and is the largest in terms of area. It is organised in an area of some 12 bighas. Among all, this community puja attracts the largest crowd for its magnificence and artistic pandals, decorations and illumination. The committee has converted the area into Dev Bhumi with the modelled shrines of Gangotri, Yamunotri Kedarnath and Badrinath.
The other gorgeous sites are the community pujas organised by Jyoti Nagar Sarbajanik Shree Durga Puja Samity, Graham Bazar Municipal Colony Durga Puja Sammittee and Mitra Sangha Puja Committee. The community puja organised in Subhaspally is however unique, as it is decked up with images and tools of educational materials. Education being the theme, the entire puja mandap is decorated with pencils, crayons, sharpeners, erasers and books. The idols are also made of pencils.
