Ahmedabad Police have issued a notification containing 44 rules for Navratri and Dussehra celebrations, which will be held from October 11 to 20.
The guidelines apply to party plots, clubs, residential societies and street Garba organisers.The rules include 12 conditions related to permissions and 32 guidelines for event management. The main focus is on women’s safety, traffic management, noise control and preventing drug use at Garba venues.
Loudspeakers allowed only till midnight
According to the notification, microphones, loudspeakers and public address systems can be used only until 12 midnight. Organisers must switch off sound systems after midnight and strictly follow noise pollution regulations.
Loudspeakers and microphones will also not be permitted in silent zones near hospitals, educational institutions and courts.
For non-commercial residential societies and street Garba events, permission to use loudspeakers will be issued by the local police station’s Police Inspector (PI).
For commercial events at party plots and clubs where tickets or passes are issued, permission will be granted by the ACP (Traffic) after consultation with the concerned police station.
Two mentors mandatory for street Garba
Street Garba organisers will have to appoint two public mentors, while a police officer or employee from the local police station will also be assigned as a mentor. They will coordinate with organisers and monitor women’s safety, traffic arrangements and the prevention of intoxicants at the venue.
Identity checks and women’s safety
Organisers will have to collect identity details of people attending Garba events. Special arrangements must be made for women’s safety in coordination with the police She Team.
Details of the agency or person hired for the sound system will also have to be submitted to the police. Organisers and sound-system operators will be responsible for incidents related to the sound system.
CCTV and traffic arrangements
Organisers will be responsible for ensuring smooth traffic movement and proper parking around the venue. Parking or traffic obstruction will not be allowed within 200 metres on either side of the Garba venue.
Adequate CCTV cameras must be installed at the venue, while entry and exit points will have to be kept separate. AI-based cameras will also be used to monitor anti-social activities.
Strict measures against drugs
To prevent people under the influence of drugs from entering Garba venues, organisers will have to install breath analysers, door-frame metal detectors and hand-held metal detectors.
Two people must also be appointed to identify suspected drug users, stop them from entering the venue and inform the police. Their details will have to be submitted to the concerned police station.
The Ahmedabad Police said the guidelines are aimed at ensuring safe and peaceful Navratri celebrations while maintaining traffic discipline and public order across the city.