- 5,161 personnel, 33 KSRP platoons, 2,000 traffic cops in final three days | 34,000 CCTV cameras
- 65 parking areas identified | 20 teams to monitor social media | 18 help centres to assist tourists
Mysuru: The City Police have drawn up an elaborate security plan for Dasara, deploying 5,161 Police officers and personnel from the civil and traffic wings, along with 33 Karnataka State Reserve Police platoons. In addition, 25 City Armed Reserve / District Armed Reserve platoons, 24 Anti-Sabotage Check Teams and 1,500 Home Guards.
Addressing a press conference at a hotel yesterday afternoon, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar said the Police would give special attention to crowded areas and major event venues. Security arrangements will be implemented in two phases, she said.
The Commissioner was accompanied by DCP (Law and Order) Dr. Harsha Priyamvada and DCP (Crime and Traffic) K.S. Sundar Raj.
Helium balloon ban
In view of last year’s helium cylinder explosion near the Palace, the sale of helium balloons has been banned this year. The Police are also identifying unauthorised vendors and holding discussions with Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) to provide designated vending zones.
City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar addressing a press conference in city yesterday as DCPs (Law & Order) Dr. Harsha Priyamvada and (Crime & Traffic) K.S. Sundar Raj look on.
The first phase of security arrangements will be in force from Oct. 11 to 18, while the second phase, from Oct. 19 to 21, will cover Jumboo Savari and other major events. Special arrangements will be made at Palace cultural programmes, Dasara Exhibition, wrestling competitions, flower show, food festival, book fair, illumination displays, Yuva Dasara, drone show, air show and Jumboo Savari route.
Last year’s shortcomings addressed
The Police have addressed shortcomings identified during last year’s festivities and made special arrangements along the 4.5-km procession route.
Climbing buildings and trees to watch the procession has been prohibited. Officials have inspected 92 buildings and issued notices to prevent people from using rooftops and other unsafe vantage points. Sitting on tree branches to watch the procession has also been prohibited.
Eye on social media
The Police will keep a close watch on social media to prevent the spread of misinformation. Twenty teams have been formed to monitor online platforms. Sharing unverified information or circulating old videos as current incidents will invite legal action, the Police Commissioner warned.
One of the signboards installed near Nazarbad Police Station junction.
A ‘Mysuru Dasara 2026’ portal will be launched to provide daily traffic advisories, parking details, route maps and other essential information. The portal will be accessible through QR codes. Updates will also be shared through the Police department’s official Facebook, Instagram and X accounts. People can dial 112 in emergencies, with 18 emergency response vehicles kept on standby.
65 parking locations
Traffic arrangements will also be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, 1,635 personnel, including Deputy Commissioners of Police, Assistant Commissioners of Police, inspectors and Police Sub-Inspectors, will be deployed. Around 2,000 Traffic Police personnel will be on duty during the final three days of Dasara.
Alternative routes have been planned for light vehicles and two-wheelers near Manipal Junction, while bus routes have been modified in coordination with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
As many as 65 parking locations have been identified across the city, with separate facilities for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. QR codes and entry tickets will provide details of parking facilities.
Emergency response
For emergency response, 28 ambulances and 32 fire engines will be deployed. Special traffic routes will also be designated for Jumboo Savari day.
Women’s and children’s safety will receive special attention. The existing ‘Akka Pade’ women’s protection unit has been strengthened and four additional women’s Police teams will patrol crowded areas, including food fairs and bus stands.
In addition to the city’s 34,000 CCTV cameras, more cameras are being installed at sensitive locations. Police drones will provide aerial surveillance, while dog squads, bomb detection and disposal teams will conduct daily checks at major venues.
18 Police Help Centres
Eighteen Police Help Centres have been set up across the city to assist tourists, particularly at bus stands, Palace, food fairs and exhibition grounds. More centres have been established this year than last year. A ‘Police Mitra’ system has also been introduced in coordination with Tourism Department and Traffic Police.
| No. | Jurisdiction | Help Centre |
| 1 | Krishnaraja | Chamundi Hill |
| 2 | Gun House Circle | |
| 3 | Lakshmipuram | Ramaswamy Circle |
| 4 | Aahara Mela | |
| 5 | Nazarbad | Exhibition Grounds |
| 6 | Mysuru Zoo | |
| 7 | Hardinge Circle | |
| 8 | Devaraja | Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple |
| 9 | Varaha Gate Palace | |
| 10 | Jayamarthanda Gate Palace | |
| 11 | K.R. Circle/Chikka Gadiyara | |
| 12 | Lashkar | KSRTC Bus Stand |
| 13 | St. Philomena’s Church | |
| 14 | Mandi Mohalla | Railway Station |
| 15 | Ayurveda College Circle | |
| 16 | Narasimharaja | Manipal Hospital Junction |
| 17 | LIC Circle Cycle Stand (Gate 6) | |
| 18 | Highway Circle |
Temporary bus stands for City Buses: Oct. 21
- Scouts and Guides Grounds: For buses on the routes to Kuvempunagar, Ramakrishnanagar, Saraswathipuram, Bogadi.
- Agrahara Circle: For buses to J.P. Nagar, Vidyaranyapuram, Srirampura, H.D. Kote, Nanjangud, Kadakola.
- Dasappa Circle: For buses to KRS, Yelwal, Vijayanagar, Koorgalli.
- Five Lights Circle: For buses to N.R. Mohalla, Kesare, Udayagiri, Srirangapatna.
- Vayuvihara Marga: For buses to Siddarthanagar, Mahadevapura, Bannur.
- Boulevard Circle: For buses to Alanahalli, Police Layout, Lalithadripura, Chamundi Hill.
From Oct. 11 to 20, temporary bus stands will be arranged for city transport buses at: Banumaiah College Junction, Gandhi Circle, Mirza Road
For outstation KSRTC buses: Oct. 21
- Sathagalli Bus Stand: For buses on Bengaluru route.
- Scouts and Guides Ground: For buses to Hassan, Madikeri, Hunsur, Bogadi, H.D. Kote, Manandavadi.
- Gundu Rao Nagar Ground: For buses to Chamarajanagar, Gundlupet, Nanjangud Road.
- Shashiranjan Ground: For buses to T. Narasipur, Kollegal Road, Bannur, Malavalli.
This post was published on October 10, 2026 7:30 pm