Ahmedabad Police roll out comprehensive security plan for Navratri festivities

Ahmedabad Police have drawn up a detailed action plan to ensure a peaceful Navratri celebration across the city, with special focus on women’s safety, crowd control and curbing traffic violations. All organisers have been directed to conduct the garba only till 12 midnight.

According to DCP (Control Room) Reema Munshi, a total of 49 all-women ‘She Teams’ have been preparing for the festival for the past two months. These teams will be stationed at key locations such as SG Highway, Sindhu Bhavan Road and the Sabarmati Riverfront, as well as at dark spots where CCTV surveillance is limited.

Women’s safety initiatives

As part of a pre-festival sensitisation drive, 28 garba classes have been covered, where around 3,000 women were trained in self-defence techniques. In addition, 4,800 girl students across 39 schools and colleges have received similar training.

“She Teams will also attend both small and large garba venues, dressed in civil or traditional attire, and will function as an anti-Romeo squad to deter incidents of harassment,” Munshi said.

Permissions and crowd management

The police received 84 applications from garba organisers; 29 have already been approved, while the remaining will be processed until noon on the eve of the festival.

To maintain law and order, the city will witness a heavy deployment of personnel: 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), 30 Assistant Commissioners (ACPs), 160 Police Inspectors (PIs), around 5,000 police personnel, 4,000 Home Guards, and three companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRP). A dedicated Special Action Force will also be on standby to tackle any unforeseen law and order situation.

Traffic and vehicle checks

Since early September, police have been cracking down on vehicles with dark window films and tampered number plates. Action has already been taken against 3,601 vehicles with tinted glass, while 7,300 vehicles with modified number plates have been detained. During Navratri, vehicles with black film and stunt bikers or street racers will face strict legal action.

Securing every celebration

“From large commercial garbas to neighbourhood street celebrations, our teams will ensure that all citizens especially womencan participate safely,” Munshi added.

Police have urged organisers and revellers alike to cooperate with authorities to help maintain law and order during the nine-day festival.