Ahmedabad, October 13, 2026: As Ahmedabad comes alive with the colours, music and energy of Navratri, the city police are stepping up security to ensure that women and families can enjoy Garba nights without fear. In a distinctive move, female police officers from the city's specialised SHE Teams are blending into the festive crowds in traditional chaniya cholis, allowing them to monitor gatherings discreetly and respond to potential cases of harassment.

The initiative is part of a broader Ahmedabad Police security plan for Navratri 2026, which includes late-night patrolling, CCTV surveillance, crowd management and action against fake Garba passes. With thousands of people attending celebrations across the city, authorities are combining undercover policing with technology and public awareness to address safety concerns during one of Gujarat's biggest annual festivals.

The approach also sends a clear message: while Navratri is a time for devotion, dance and celebration, public safety remains a priority.

Ahmedabad SHE Teams Go Undercover in Traditional Chaniya Choli

One of the most striking features of Ahmedabad's Navratri security arrangements is the deployment of female police personnel in traditional Gujarati attire. Instead of remaining visible only in uniform at venue entrances or around the perimeter, officers are moving among Garba participants in chaniya cholis, observing crowd behaviour while appearing to be ordinary revellers.

The strategy is designed to help officers identify inappropriate behaviour that might otherwise go unnoticed in a packed dance ground. It can also make it easier to intervene when a woman feels uncomfortable, faces harassment or needs immediate assistance without having to leave the venue to approach a uniformed officer.

Ahmedabad Police have highlighted the undercover deployment through a video shared on their official social media account. The footage shows women officers mingling with participants and joining the celebrations while remaining on duty.

For women attending Garba events with friends, family members or colleagues, the presence of discreetly deployed officers adds another layer of security. It is also intended to discourage people who might take advantage of crowded venues to engage in harassment or other disruptive conduct.

The objective is not to interfere with the festive atmosphere but to help ensure that everyone can participate comfortably and safely.

Around 300 SHE Team Personnel Deployed Across Ahmedabad

The undercover initiative forms part of a wider policing effort across Ahmedabad. Around 300 SHE Team personnel from all 49 police stations have been deployed for late-night patrolling and monitoring during the festival.

The SHE Team is a specialised unit established in Ahmedabad in 2020 to improve the safety of women, children and senior citizens in public spaces. Its work includes preventing harassment, responding to vulnerable people who need help and creating greater awareness of personal safety.

During Navratri, these responsibilities become particularly important because large crowds, extended celebrations and late-night travel can create additional challenges for both attendees and law enforcement.

Officers are expected to monitor busy areas, remain alert to suspicious activity and provide assistance wherever necessary. Their work also extends beyond immediate security concerns. Police personnel are engaging with young people to discuss women's safety, children's protection, cyber fraud and the risks associated with drugs.

This combination of enforcement and awareness is intended to make public celebrations safer while encouraging visitors to behave responsibly.

The deployment also reflects a broader approach to policing: security should not begin only after a complaint is filed. By placing officers directly within the crowds, authorities aim to spot potential problems early and respond before situations escalate.

અજાણ્યા વ્યક્તિ પાસેથી લિફ્ટ લેવાનું ટાળો, કોઈપણ પ્રકારની મુશ્કેલી જણાય તો તાત્કાલિક 112 અથવા 181 ડાયલ કરો. આ વિડીયોને આપના પરિવાર અને મિત્રો સાથે શેર અવશ્ય કરો. @sanghaviharsh @GujaratPolice @dgpgujarat @InfoGujarat #AhmedabadPoliceNavratri2026 ​#SafeGarbaAhmedabad #SurakshitNavratriAmdavad #SHETeam— Ahmedabad Police અમદાવાદ પોલીસ (@AhmedabadPolice) October 10, 2026

Fake Garba Pass Scam: Ahmedabad Police Warn of Strict Action

Alongside women's safety, authorities are also addressing another concern surrounding Navratri celebrations: fraudulent Garba passes.

Popular Garba events often attract large crowds, and demand for entry passes can create opportunities for fraudsters. Some people may attempt to resell complimentary passes at inflated prices, while others may circulate counterfeit tickets designed to look like genuine entry passes.

The Ahmedabad Police have directed Garba organisers to report suspected fake passes, whether these are distributed physically or advertised and sold through social media. Complaints can lead to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR), bringing suspected offenders under formal investigation.

The warning is particularly relevant to people purchasing passes online or through unofficial sellers. A ticket that looks authentic is not necessarily genuine, and an attractive offer may turn into a financial loss or an unsuccessful attempt to enter a venue.

Festivalgoers should therefore purchase Garba passes through authorised organisers and official booking channels wherever possible. They should be cautious about sellers demanding unusually high prices, offering last-minute deals without verification or refusing to provide clear booking details.

Organisers, meanwhile, have been instructed to remain alert to fraudulent tickets and ensure that entry arrangements comply with authorised capacity limits.

The crackdown is intended to protect genuine ticket holders, discourage illegal resale and prevent disputes at venue entrances. With large numbers of people arriving around the same time, fraudulent passes can create additional pressure on entry points and complicate crowd management.

For visitors planning to attend Ahmedabad's famous Navratri celebrations, checking the authenticity of a pass before making payment is a simple but important precaution.

AI-Powered CCTV Cameras to Strengthen Garba Venue Security

Technology is another key component of the city's Navratri safety arrangements. Ahmedabad Police are using surveillance and crowd-monitoring systems to improve visibility at busy Garba venues and help officers respond to potential problems.

According to the announced security plan, AI-supported CCTV cameras will help monitor crowd density and activity at event locations. Police have also instructed organisers not to admit more people than the numbers permitted under their event approvals.

The broader security arrangements include more than 4,000 CCTV cameras across the city, which will help authorities monitor public spaces and identify situations requiring attention. Facial-recognition technology is also planned at selected locations to help identify individuals suspected of causing disturbances at previous events.

Such systems are intended to complement, rather than replace, officers working on the ground. While cameras can help identify congestion or suspicious activity, police personnel remain essential for verifying incidents, assisting affected visitors and taking appropriate action.

Organisers have also been directed to obtain the necessary permissions and comply with safety requirements before hosting Garba events. These include relevant fire-safety, structural-stability and electrical clearances.

Capacity control is especially important at large venues, where overcrowding can make movement difficult and delay emergency assistance. Clear entry and exit arrangements, adequate lighting and effective coordination between organisers and police can help reduce these risks.

The combination of surveillance, undercover deployment and on-site security reflects an effort to manage both visible and less obvious threats during the festivities.

https://t.co/FW07q9cUYY— Ahmedabad Police અમદાવાદ પોલીસ (@AhmedabadPolice) October 12, 2026

Police Deployment, Emergency Vehicles and Traffic Management

The security plan extends beyond Garba grounds to roads, public spaces and areas where people gather before and after celebrations.

According to the announced arrangements, approximately 14,000 police personnel and security staff will be deployed for festival security. The wider measures include 129 Police Control Room (PCR) vans patrolling the city and Abhayam vehicles available through police stations to support emergency responses.

These arrangements are particularly important late at night, when thousands of revellers leave venues simultaneously. Heavy traffic, roadside congestion and crowded entry and exit points can make it difficult for emergency vehicles to move quickly.

Special attention is being given to busy routes, including SG Highway, which connects several popular Garba venues. Traffic personnel will work to regulate vehicle movement and reduce congestion as celebrations wind down.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is also working with the police on civic improvements, including better lighting in dark stretches, repairs to damaged roads and measures to ease traffic movement.

These efforts highlight an important aspect of Navratri safety: protecting visitors requires more than surveillance inside an event venue. Safe roads, accessible emergency assistance and orderly dispersal are equally important for people travelling home after hours of dancing.

Making Police Assistance More Accessible to Young People

Another focus of the SHE Teams is building trust with young people and making it easier for them to approach the police.

Women police personnel have been engaging with students, paying guest accommodation residents, Garba classes and other public groups to discuss safety in a more approachable manner. The initiative also seeks to help young people, including those more comfortable speaking English or Hindi, communicate their concerns without hesitation.

The discussions cover women's safety, child protection, cyber fraud and drug awareness. Rather than limiting interactions to formal warnings, officers are encouraging conversations about real-life situations and explaining how people can seek help.

This approach is particularly relevant during Navratri, when students, working professionals and visitors from outside Gujarat join local residents at large celebrations. A person who knows where to seek assistance and feels comfortable reporting misconduct may be more likely to raise concerns promptly.

The women's safety helpline 181 is another important avenue for assistance. People facing an emergency can also contact India's emergency response number, 112.

Awareness, however, must be accompanied by individual responsibility. Revellers should respect personal boundaries, avoid disruptive conduct and report harassment rather than assuming that inappropriate behaviour is simply part of a crowded celebration.

What Garba Organisers and Visitors Should Keep in Mind

With Ahmedabad Navratri security arrangements involving police patrols, CCTV cameras, undercover officers and stricter entry checks, both organisers and visitors have a role to play.

For festivalgoers, a few precautions can make attending Garba nights safer and less stressful:

• Buy authentic Garba passes: Use official booking platforms or authorised sellers, and verify ticket details before paying.

• Stay aware of your surroundings: Keep track of friends and family members, particularly when moving through crowded areas.

• Report harassment promptly: Approach security staff or police personnel if you witness misconduct or need assistance.

• Plan your journey home: Arrange transport in advance and remain cautious when leaving venues late at night.

• Follow venue rules: Respect entry restrictions, emergency instructions and crowd-control arrangements.

• Be careful online: Avoid sharing personal information or payment details with unverified pass sellers.

Event organisers also need to ensure that their venues have the required permissions, adhere to authorised capacity limits and maintain appropriate safety arrangements.

These precautions are not intended to take away from the joy of Navratri. Instead, they help create an environment in which people can celebrate with greater confidence.

Ahmedabad Navratri 2026: A Stronger Focus on Women's Safety

Ahmedabad's decision to deploy female police officers in chaniya cholis reflects a more discreet and community-focused approach to festival security. By blending into the crowds, SHE Team personnel can observe behaviour more naturally while remaining prepared to intervene when necessary.

Combined with late-night patrolling, AI-assisted CCTV surveillance, action against fake Garba passes, emergency response vehicles and traffic management, the measures form a broad effort to keep Navratri celebrations peaceful.

The scale of the arrangements also reflects the challenges of securing a festival that brings together large crowds, traditional dance, music and late-night celebrations across multiple venues.

Ultimately, the success of Ahmedabad Police's Navratri safety plan will depend not only on personnel and technology but also on coordination with organisers and cooperation from the public.

For women, families and first-time visitors attending Garba nights, the message is straightforward: enjoy the festivities, remain alert and seek help whenever necessary. With responsible behaviour and effective policing working together, Ahmedabad can preserve the spirit of Navratri while making safety an essential part of the celebration.

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