Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, 12 November 2026, convened a comprehensive security review at the Delhi Police Headquarters, alongside Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu, with Chhath Puja festivities set to draw lakhs of devotees across the capital through 16 November. The high-level meeting underscores the Centre's close watch over law and order in New Delhi during one of the city's most crowded festival periods.

Key Developments at the Review Meeting

Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and senior Delhi Police officials attended the session, according to sources. The Home Minister is said to have assessed the force's crowd management strategy and security arrangements across more than 1,400 ghats where Chhath rituals are observed. With lakhs of devotees expected at water bodies across the city, controlling movement and preventing stampedes are reported to be central concerns.

What Was Discussed

Beyond festival logistics, the meeting reportedly covered broader policing priorities. At a previous review held on 24 October — also at the Delhi Police Headquarters — Shah had been briefed on strategies to curb drug trafficking, dismantle organised crime networks, and ease traffic congestion. Women's safety measures also featured on that agenda, reflecting an ongoing focus that has continued into Thursday's session.

LG Sandhu's Festive Outreach to Police Personnel

Earlier this week, Lieutenant Governor Sandhu visited Rajinder Nagar Police Station to personally greet personnel deployed on Diwali duty. 'Spending the festive evening away from their families to keep our neighbourhoods safe is a sacrifice that deserves our deepest appreciation. Commended their vigilance, readiness and unwavering commitment to duty, and extended warm Diwali wishes to all. Their service helps Delhi celebrate safely and peacefully,' Sandhu said.

Sandhu also made a point of visiting the Pink Booths — specialised police posts dedicated to women's safety — located opposite IP College and in Kamla Nagar. In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor wrote: 'A Diwali visit to the Pink Booths opposite IP College and in Kamla Nagar, interacting with our dedicated @DelhiPolice women personnel. Exchanged festive greetings and appreciated their round-the-clock vigilance in making public spaces and academic hubs safer, more accessible and reassuring for women. Commended their unwavering commitment to duty, especially during the festive season.'

Pattern of Heightened Oversight

Thursday's meeting is the second such review Shah has conducted at the Delhi Police Headquarters in under a month, signalling sustained central attention on the capital's security architecture during the festive season. This comes amid a broader national push to tighten urban policing during high-footfall events, where crowd surges, petty crime, and logistical failures have historically posed challenges. Notably, Chhath Puja's decentralised nature — spread across over 1,400 riverbank and pond locations — makes coordinated deployment particularly complex.

What Happens Next

Chhath Puja observances will continue through 16 November, with the most critical ritual — the early-morning Usha Arghya — drawing the largest congregations. Delhi Police deployments, crowd barriers, and emergency response corridors are expected to remain active across all designated ghats for the duration of the festival.