2,500 Police Personnel Deployed to Ensure Tight Security for Dev Deepawali in Kashi

New Delhi, Nov 3 : As millions of devotees and tourists flock to Kashi to witness the divine glow of the ghats and the majestic Ganga Aarti during the Dev Deepawali festival, authorities have stepped up security across the temple city. More than 2,500 police personnel have been deployed to ensure safety and smooth management of the massive gatherings.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kashi) Saravanan T announced that a comprehensive security plan has been prepared for November 5. The Ganga River has been divided into 14 sectors, each under strict surveillance. Special teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Water Police will be deployed along the river, supported by expert divers for emergency response.
To maintain public order, 21 anti-Romeo squads and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) will be stationed at various ghats. Twenty-eight watchtowers have been erected to monitor crowds, while technical surveillance through drones, CCTV cameras, and AI-based analytics will track movement across key areas.
Plainclothes female police personnel will be present at major ghats including Assi, Dashashwamedh, Raj Ghat, Namo, Ravidas, Rajendra Prasad, and Sheetla Ghat to ensure safety for women. Additionally, eight main routes connecting to the ghats have been identified for reinforced patrolling.
Over 2,000 CCTV cameras will keep round the clock watch across the city. Authorities have also banned unauthorized drone flights, emphasizing the importance of security compliance. The Municipal Corporation, Water Police, and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) have begun inspecting boats to ensure safety standards  marking operational ones in green and damaged or unsafe vessels in red.
The elaborate arrangements reflect Kashi’s readiness to host one of India’s grandest spiritual spectacles while ensuring safety and discipline amid the festive fervor.