Mysuru: Karnataka Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) Dr M.A. Saleem reviewed security arrangements for the 2026 Mysuru Dasara celebrations and directed senior police officers to strengthen crowd management, VVIP movement, traffic regulation and emergency response across major event venues.
Saleem arrived in Mysuru from Bengaluru on September 30 and chaired a high-level security meeting at the Mysuru City Police Commissioner’s office. Mysuru City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi and senior officers from the city and district police attended the meeting.
The review comes ahead of the 11-day Dasara celebrations beginning October 11, with several major events scheduled across the city. This year’s programme includes the traditional Jumboo Savari, Yuva Dasara and the first Dasara Kambala, increasing the requirement for coordinated security and traffic arrangements.
DG&IGP inspects major Dasara venues
Following the meeting, Saleem visited several important Dasara venues to assess security preparations.
The inspection covered the Mysuru Palace, which will serve as the starting point for the Jumboo Savari, the Yuva Dasara venue and the Torchlight Parade Grounds at Bannimantap.
Police reviewed arrangements covering crowd movement, entry and exit points, barricading, surveillance, traffic diversions and emergency response. The objective is to ensure that visitors, local residents and VVIPs can move safely during the festival.
The inspection also comes at a time when Mysuru is expected to receive a large number of tourists for the Dasara celebrations. Police officials have sought additional manpower and barricades to manage the expected crowds at major venues.
Around 10,000 police personnel to be deployed
A major component of the security plan is the deployment of additional police personnel from outside Mysuru.
According to the Star of Mysore report, the Mysuru City Police will be supported by around 6,000 additional personnel from other districts, taking the overall deployment to approximately 10,000 police personnel. Senior officers at SP, DIG and IGP levels will also be deployed during the celebrations.
Arrangements are being made for food and accommodation for personnel arriving from outside Mysuru.
The local police have also been instructed to coordinate with nearby hospitals and make advance arrangements for emergency medical care. This includes reserving emergency wards, arranging dedicated medical staff and keeping medical response teams ready during major events.
The additional force is intended to support crowd control, traffic management, law and order and security at venues with high visitor turnout.
VVIP movement gets special attention
Security arrangements are also being strengthened because several VVIPs are expected to attend the Dasara celebrations.
According to the Star of Mysore report, Chief Ministers of the southern States are expected to attend the Vijayadashami celebrations, following an invitation from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Police have therefore been instructed to establish separate routes for VVIP convoys, provide adequate parking facilities and ensure clear access for the Governor, Chief Minister, visiting Chief Ministers and other dignitaries.
The arrangements are intended to ensure that VVIP movement does not interfere with the movement of the public and tourists attending the celebrations.
Officers have also been instructed to maintain smooth crowd movement and prevent overcrowding, stampede-like situations and confrontations at crowded venues.
Stronger barricades planned for Jumboo Savari route
The main Dasara procession route will receive additional barricading as part of the security preparations.
Taller and stronger barricades are planned along both sides of the main procession route between Balarama Gate and K.R. Circle.
Police will also monitor structures and trees along the route to prevent spectators from climbing weak or dilapidated structures while trying to get a better view of the procession.
The measures are particularly important on Vijayadashami, when large crowds gather along the route to watch the Jumboo Savari and the Golden Howdah procession.
Crowd-control teams will have to manage both stationary spectators and the movement of people along the procession route.
Kambala requires extended security deployment
The introduction of Kambala into the Dasara programme has created an additional security requirement this year.
The first Dasara Kambala will be held near the VTU Regional Centre in east Mysuru on October 18 and 19. Around 150 pairs of buffaloes are expected to participate.
Because the event is scheduled to run for nearly 48 hours, police will need to maintain security and crowd-management arrangements at the venue for an extended period.
Police officials are also working with organisers to prevent panic or untoward incidents involving the buffaloes and spectators.
The expected crowd at the new event has made traffic regulation, access control and emergency response important parts of the security plan.
Yuva Dasara venue also under watch
Yuva Dasara is another major event receiving special attention from the police.
The DG&IGP inspected the Yuva Dasara venue in east Mysuru and reviewed arrangements for managing crowds and traffic around the venue.
The event is expected to attract large audiences, requiring police to manage entry and exit points, traffic movement and emergency access.
With Yuva Dasara and Kambala taking place within a seven-day period, additional police personnel from outside the range are being sought to support the city police.
This will allow the department to maintain adequate manpower at multiple venues instead of concentrating personnel at a single location.
Bannimantap security reviewed for final-day events
The Bannimantap Torchlight Parade Grounds were also inspected during the DG&IGP’s visit.
The venue will host major programmes towards the end of the Dasara celebrations and will also receive VVIPs on Vijayadashami.
Security arrangements will include crowd management, vehicle movement, VVIP access and emergency response.
The Torchlight Parade and Drone Show, both scheduled at night, will require additional attention because of the large crowds and the movement of visitors after dark.
Police have been directed to establish clear access routes and parking arrangements while maintaining adequate security around the event area.
Police instructed to remain tourist-friendly
While security remains the main priority, officers have also been instructed to adopt a tourist-friendly approach during the festival.
DCP (Traffic and Crime) K.S. Sundar Raj said officers had been directed to facilitate tourists and members of the public attending Dasara programmes while ensuring smooth movement of VVIPs.
Traffic management will therefore form an important part of the overall security plan.
Police are expected to implement diversions around major venues whenever required and coordinate movement between different event locations.
The approach is aimed at ensuring that security measures do not unnecessarily inconvenience visitors who come to Mysuru for the annual festival.
Emergency preparedness strengthened
The police department is also preparing for possible emergencies during the festival.
Advance coordination with hospitals and the availability of medical response teams are part of the preparations. Dedicated medical staff and emergency wards are expected to be kept ready during major events.
The arrangements are intended to provide a quick response in case of accidents, medical emergencies or crowd-related incidents.
With thousands of visitors expected at multiple venues simultaneously, coordination between police, medical teams, traffic personnel, event organisers and other government agencies will be important throughout the festival.
Conclusion
Karnataka DG&IGP Dr M.A. Saleem has reviewed Mysuru’s security preparedness ahead of Dasara 2026, with around 10,000 police personnel expected to be deployed across the city and district. The security plan covers VVIP movement, crowd control, stronger barricades, traffic management and emergency medical arrangements. Special attention is being given to high-footfall events such as Yuva Dasara, Kambala and the Vijayadashami celebrations at Bannimantap.