Police forces across India have significantly ramped up security, surveillance, and crowd management measures at major markets, transport hubs, and public spaces ahead of Diwali and the cluster of festivals that follow — including Bhai Dooj and Chhath Puja. Additional personnel are being deployed at high-footfall areas to safeguard shoppers and commuters as festive activity peaks.

Delhi's Sadar Bazaar on High Alert

In the capital, ACP Sonu Kumar and Sadar Bazaar SHO Sahdev Singh led on-ground inspections and patrols through one of Delhi's busiest wholesale markets. Kumar noted that Sadar Bazaar was drawing shoppers from across the country, placing exceptional pressure on crowd and traffic management systems.

'There is a huge rush in the market due to Diwali. The footfall is very high, as people from across the country come here to shop. We are fully prepared to manage the situation. We have deployed adequate police personnel at all access control points in the market,' Kumar said.

Measures in place include drone surveillance, CCTV monitoring, and elevated observation platforms — locally called 'machans' — positioned at strategic vantage points. Facial Recognition System (FRS) vans have been deployed at key intersections including Qutub Chowk, while dog squads and bomb disposal teams conduct regular checks. Unauthorised encroachments have been cleared to ease pedestrian and vehicle movement.

Kumar added that the police had held pre-season coordination meetings with market welfare associations and asked traders to keep their own surveillance systems functional. Additional cameras have been installed wherever gaps were identified.

Railway Security at Hazrat Nizamuddin

Railway authorities have reinforced security arrangements at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station in Delhi to handle the surge in passenger traffic expected through Diwali, Bhai Dooj, and Chhath Puja. Special protocols have been activated to regulate passenger flow and maintain order at one of the capital's busiest rail junctions during the festive window.

Tamil Nadu: Tirunelveli Deploys Crime Prevention Teams

In Tamil Nadu, City Police Commissioner Shekhar Deshmukh of Tirunelveli confirmed that comprehensive security, traffic regulation, and crowd management plans are operational ahead of Diwali. The city's markets are expected to receive a large influx of visitors from surrounding villages for festive shopping.

Deshmukh said specialised crime prevention teams have been embedded in market zones to deter theft and other offences, with vehicle-checking points and police assistance booths set up at key locations. Arrangements are being reviewed on a daily basis to prevent congestion. He urged residents to use emergency helplines 100 or 112 around the clock in case of any emergency.

Nationwide Coordination as Festive Rush Peaks

This comes amid a predictable annual pattern: India's post-monsoon festival corridor — spanning Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath — consistently generates the year's highest civilian footfall across retail markets and transit points, stretching policing capacity in urban centres. Authorities in both metropolitan and tier-2 cities appear to have factored in this pressure, with personnel in both khaki and camouflage uniforms deployed across critical areas. Notably, the integration of drone surveillance and facial recognition technology marks a visible escalation in the technological toolkit used for crowd management compared with earlier festive seasons.

With the festive period set to intensify over the coming days, police forces and railway authorities will continue to coordinate to prevent untoward incidents and ensure the smooth movement of millions of people.