Bhubaneswar, Oct. 18 -- Odisha Police have beefed up security and crowd management measures at Durga Puja pandals across the state to prevent overcrowding and stampede-like situations, Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Vinaytosh Mishra said on Sunday.

Speaking to ANI, Mishra stated that mandatory police personnel will be deployed at every major pandal alongside committee volunteers. Special emphasis is being placed on regulating entry and exit points to control footfall inside the venues.

"Large pandals have been set up in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Balasore and other places, and a large number of people visit them for darshan... We have issued strict instructions that every pandal must have police deployment, along with volunteers pro...