36 Platoons, 11 QRTs, Drones: Odisha Assembly Gets Multi-Layer Security Cover
Bureau, Odishabarta
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 20: With the 7th Session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly set to begin on September 22, the Bhubaneswar-Katak Police Commissionerate has rolled out an extensive security and traffic-management plan around the Assembly complex.
The session will continue till October 3, and security arrangements have been designed to cover the Assembly premises, access routes, protest zones and other sensitive locations in the capital.
Odisha DGP Vinaytosh Mishra reviewed the preparedness at around 3 PM on Sunday in the presence of Commissioner of Police Dr. S. Dev Datta Singh, Addl. CP Narasingha Bhol and other senior police officers.
Extensive deployment
According to the Commissionerate, the security grid includes;
2 DCPs, 6 Additional DCPs and 24 ACPs, supported by 134 personnel of Inspector, SI, ASI and Woman Constable ranks.
The deployment also includes:
36 platoons of police force
1 Special Tactical Unit
60 traffic personnel
11 Quick Response Teams (QRTs)
Rooftop security at strategic locations
A Bomb Disposal Unit
Drone surveillance, whenever required
Three control rooms will operate round the clock — at the Northern Gate of the Assembly, the Unified Control Room at M.G. Marg, and the designated dharna site.
QRTs positioned at key points
Of the 11 QRTs, seven will remain inside the Assembly premises, while two mobile teams will patrol the surrounding area.
One team will be stationed at Traffic Police Station-1 and another at Lok Seva Bhawan.
A specialised plainclothes team under the supervision of the IIC, Capital Police Station, has been assigned to monitor and prevent possible self-immolation attempts during the session.
Security personnel have also been deployed on rooftops of the Assembly building and at other identified strategic and sensitive locations.
Fire, medical and emergency backup
The Assembly premises will have a dedicated firefighting unit and a medical response team equipped with an ambulance.
Emergency and operational equipment, including ropes, blankets, drinking water, searchlights, PA-equipped vehicles and CCTV support, has been arranged. Photographers will also be deployed as part of the operational setup.
Static VHF communication systems have been installed to facilitate coordination among different security units.
A temporary lock-up (hazat) will function at the Reserve Office of Bhubaneswar UPD for necessary legal procedures.
Bomb squad and drone surveillance
As part of the security protocol, a Bomb Disposal Unit will remain deployed. Anti-sabotage checks and dog-squad inspections of the Assembly building will be conducted before proceedings each day.
Drones may also be pressed into service to monitor crowd movement and provide an aerial view of sensitive areas.
Traffic restrictions and access control
Traffic arrangements have been integrated into the security plan. DCP Traffic will supervise parking inside the Assembly premises and regulate traffic on surrounding roads to minimise congestion.
Barricading and route restrictions announced earlier will remain effective on session days. Access through designated routes will be restricted to authorised and emergency vehicles.
Separate entry arrangements have been made for MLAs, ministers, the Speaker and accredited media personnel.
Additional drinking-water facilities have also been arranged for police personnel, staff and visitors.
The Commissionerate said all deployed units have been briefed and are prepared to respond to any contingency during the Assembly session.
The overall security plan is aimed at ensuring that legislative proceedings continue without disruption while maintaining public safety, traffic discipline and law and order in and around the Assembly area.
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