Women entrepreneurs and Garba revellers in Vadodara are lauding the Gujarat Police and the state government for robust security arrangements during Navratri 2026, with many saying they feel safe moving around and operating stalls well past midnight. The deployment of dedicated SHE Teams at Garba venues across the city has emerged as a centrepiece of the security drive.

Security Arrangements on the Ground

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Manjita Vanjara outlined the measures put in place for the festival. 'There is great enthusiasm in the city, as Navratri is very popular here, and celebrations are organised at various pandals. The police are coordinating with event organisers and security teams to ensure the safety of everyone attending the Garba events. We have arranged for police teams to patrol the areas late at night, especially when girls leave the venues and head home after Garba,' she said.

Alongside uniformed patrols, SHE Teams — specialist units focused on women's safety — have been stationed at major Garba pandals, providing a visible and responsive security presence throughout the night.

Women Entrepreneurs Operating Through the Night

A distinctive feature of this year's Navratri in Vadodara has been the number of women-run stalls operating until the early hours. The heightened police presence has given female business owners the confidence to keep their stalls open late, tapping into the large crowds that throng Garba venues after midnight.

The arrangement reflects a broader intent by authorities to create conditions in which women can participate in the city's economic life during major public events, not just as visitors but as active commercial participants.

Voices from the Celebrations

Women attending the festivities expressed clear satisfaction with the arrangements. 'Vadodara is so safe. It is 1:30 a.m., and everyone is able to enjoy themselves. Every woman here feels safe, even at this late hour. I would like to thank our state government,' one attendee said.

Another participant praised the initiative, adding, 'It is a very good initiative. Even when we leave after Garba late at night, we feel safe. If we notice anything wrong, we can contact the police and get help immediately.'

Wider Significance for Public Celebrations

Navratri is among India's most widely attended public festivals, drawing millions of participants across Gujarat over nine nights. Ensuring safety at densely crowded, late-night events presents a recurring logistical and security challenge for local authorities. This comes amid growing national conversations about women's safety in public spaces, making Vadodara's model of coordinated police-organiser deployment a point of reference for other cities hosting large Navratri events.

With the festival continuing through its remaining nights, authorities say patrols and SHE Team deployments will remain in place at all major venues.