Cuttack, Aug 19: At a time when twin-city residents, including students, youths, professionals, and businessmen, are eagerly waiting for a grand Ganesh Puja, the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Commissionerate police have issued a set of guidelines for a smooth celebration. 

The Commissionerate police have requested the organisers to abide by guidelines in letter and spirit. Ganesh Puja will be celebrated at as many as 1500 places in the millennium city. 

"We have fully restricted the use of DJ sound boxes. However, we have allowed Puja Pandals to use a maximum of six sound boxes with music sounds below 65 decibels. Idols will be immersed in ponds to be created and earmarked for the purpose. To ensure a smooth immersion, we have asked participants not to drink on the day," said Sanjeeb Panda, Police Commissioner. 

Panda also said the liquor shops will remain closed on the days set for the immersion of idols. 

Police, CMC, puja committees, and other stakeholders held a coordination meeting in Cuttack today. Committees agreed that idols would be immersed in CMC ponds on September 15, 22, and 29. 

The Commissionerate police asked organizers not to erect deformed and unusual idols. 

Artisans are now busy making Ganesh idols of different sizes at different pandals. The idol-making processes such as straw-binding, clay covering and second-coat clay covering have already been finished in many places.   

Besides, artisans in Kumbar Sahi are all busy making idols of different sizes measuring from six inches to five feet for clubs, schools, colleges and households.

After the clay cover is dried, coloring work will begin, said an idol make of Kumbasahi. 

The CMC has said it would repair streetlights and clean roadsides well before the beginning of Ganesh Puja on September 7. Besides, potholes will be patched and the supply of drinking water will be ensured by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation. 

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