12 months after stampede, Goa steps up Jatra security with watchtowers, management room, a number of entry factors

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12 months after stampede, Goa steps up Jatra security with watchtowers, management room, a number of entry factors | India Information

3 min learnPanajiMar 21, 2026 07:38 AM IST

Steady CCTV surveillance, removing of encroachments alongside the principle hall, organising watchtowers at strategic factors, barricading and buffer zones, a number of entry and exit channels, emergency evacuation routes, volunteers for crowd management, and a devoted management room with entry to CCTV and public tackle methods for supervision — these are among the many steps being taken forward of the annual Jatra of Shree Lairai Devi in Goa, scheduled for April 21.

Six folks have been killed and no less than 100 injured in a stampede on the annual temple pageant, attended by 1000’s of devotees, on the Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village in North Goa on Might 3 final yr. The Jatra, held in honour of Goddess Lairai Devi, is attended by 1000’s of particular devotees, known as ‘Dhonds’, who come from throughout Goa and neighbouring states. In a fire-walking ritual on the Jatra, the Dhonds circle a hearth pit (homkhand) and stroll barefoot throughout burning embers — a spectacle that pulls many spectators.

A fact-finding inquiry committee, constituted to analyze the stampede, had discovered that the tragedy was “totally preventable” and stemmed from a mix of poor planning, lack of enforcement, ignored directives, and insufficient infrastructure. Whereas flagging procedural shortcomings on the a part of the administration committee of Shree Lairai Saunsthan, the district administration, police, and village panchayat, the committee stated that the absence of primary crowd management infrastructure, disregard for particular administrative directions, and failure to utilise trendy surveillance instruments contributed to a important breakdown in security. The rapid set off, it stated, was overcrowding on a sloped pathway, compounded by a sudden surge and ahead motion of a bunch of Dhonds, which triggered the autumn of an individual and a subsequent domino impact.

Whereas a crowd administration plan is being ready in session with all stakeholders, the Catastrophe Administration Authority has ready a guidelines to be adopted for mass occasions to make sure preparedness and keep away from a repeat of final yr’s incident.

“Enough deployment of safety personnel, crowd management personnel, volunteers, and site visitors marshals shall be ensured. Organising of watchtowers is to be finished at strategic factors. Ample barricading, buffer zones, and a number of entry and exit channels for your entire venue, together with parking areas, shall be ensured. No entry needs to be allowed past the carrying capability of the venue as specified by organisers. A devoted management room is to be arrange with entry to CCTV, public tackle methods, and adequate personnel deployed around the clock. Provision for monitoring your entire venue with the assistance of drones is to be made after acquiring mandatory approvals from the involved authorities,” the advisory states.

“Steady CCTV surveillance and public tackle methods for your entire venue, together with parking areas, are to be ensured. Ample emergency evacuation routes and mock drills, with participation of volunteers/officers deployed to mitigate any emergency, shall be ensured. A number of entry and exit factors are to be arrange along with emergency exit factors in each open and closed venues. Enough holding areas/buffer zones are to be maintained at foremost congregation factors to keep away from overcrowding,” it provides.

Pavneet Singh Chadha is the Goa Correspondent of The Indian Specific. His reporting focuses intensely on the state of Goa, protecting main developments in politics, governance, and important native occasions, which establishes his excessive diploma of Experience and Authority within the area.

Experience

Geographic Experience: Because the Goa correspondent, Pavneet offers on-the-ground, complete protection of Goa’s political, social, and cultural panorama, guaranteeing readers obtain well timed and localized insights.

Key Protection Focus: His current work demonstrates deep investigative capabilities and a deal with high-impact tales, together with:

Investigative Reporting: Intensive protection of complicated occasions equivalent to main incidents (e.g., the Goa nightclub hearth), tracing the authorized, political, and security lapses concerned.

Authorities and Regulation Enforcement: Detailed monitoring of police actions, deportations, and authorized proceedings associated to important native instances.

Coverage and Governance: Reporting on the judiciary (e.g., Goa Excessive Courtroom flagging unlawful constructions) and the actions of presidency departments.

He tweets @pub_neat … Learn Extra