Patna: The fire services department has gone on high alert to ensure the safety of devotees during Durga Puja. On Friday, a departmental team inspected more than 50 Puja pandals in Patna’s urban area and found safety-related shortcomings at several sites.Fire services DIG Manoj Kumar Nat said action would begin from Friday evening against pandals that fail to meet prescribed safety standards, adding that legal action would be taken if required.Nat personally inspected pandals at Dak Bungalow Chowk and Mahavir Mandir, directing organisers to fix dangling electrical wires, avoid the use of synthetic fabrics and keep water-filled drums inside pandals for immediate use in case of fire.Officials asked organisers to put adequate fire-prevention measures in place and remove potential hazards without delay, citing concerns over overcrowding during the festivities.“This year, around 32% more Puja pandals have been set up compared with last year. A large number of people are also expected to arrive in Patna from rural areas during Durga Puja,” Nat said, emphasising that ensuring devotees’ safety remained the priority.The inspection drive focused on pandals in crowded parts of the city. Officials reviewed available safety arrangements and instructed organisers to promptly address deficiencies, warning that negligence endangering visitors would not be tolerated.The inspection team included Fire DIG Manoj Kumar Nat, divisional fire officer Abhishek Kumar and sub-divisional fire officer Ajit Kumar.
