Bhubaneswar: As the state gears up to celebrate Diwali on Sunday with rituals and festive gatherings, police in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have stepped up security, intensified checks on firecracker sales and made elaborate arrangements to ensure a safe and peaceful celebration.Preparations are also under way in Puri and Bhubaneswar for Badabadua Daka, one of the state’s distinctive Diwali traditions in which people light bundles of jute sticks to pay homage to their ancestors. In Puri, devotees will gather near Singhadwara of Jagannath Temple to perform the ritual, while families in Bhubaneswar’s Old Town are preparing to offer prayers at Bindusagar.Also, Kali Puja remains a major attraction in Cuttack, Bhadrak and Kendrapara. In Cuttack, more than 70 pandals are preparing to celebrate the festival with elaborate idols of goddess Kali, decorative themes and illumination. Markets and shopping areas across the city have also begun witnessing a festive rush.Amid the festive preparations, the state govt has reiterated its ‘No Gift Policy’, directing all departments, govt offices and public sector undertakings (PSUs) not to spend public money on gifts during Diwali and other festive occasions.In a communication to all officials concerned, the finance department has asked them to ensure strict compliance with the policy prescribed by the Union finance ministry. The directive prohibits the use of govt funds to buy gifts or related items during festivals.Meanwhile, police have intensified enforcement against illegal firecracker sales and made arrangements for crowd management, traffic regulation and public safety in the twin cities.In Bhubaneswar, over 400 temporary licences for firecracker shops have been issued after verification. Jatni accounts for the highest number at 121, followed by Khandagiri (75), Balianta (48), Chandrasekharpur (46) and Infovalley (42). Two special inspection teams comprising police, fire services and environmental officials have been deployed to verify licences, check fire safety arrangements and curb the sale of banned, high-decibel and foreign-made crackers.For Diwali night, 27 sections of police force will be deployed across all 24 police stations in Bhubaneswar. Static deployment will be made at 14 important junctions, besides intensive mobile and PCR patrolling. A striking force will remain on standby at Reserve Office.In Cuttack, police have identified seven locations for setting up temporary firecracker stalls. Traders said demand for green and innovative crackers had picked up this year, though traditional varieties continued to find buyers. However, they expressed concern over rising prices and the limited time available for sales. “Cracker prices have gone up by around 20% this year. Business could have been better if the local administration and police had given us more time. We could set up our shops only last night,” said Pratap Mahanty, a trader at Puri Ghat.Police commissioner Suresh Devdatta Singh on Saturday appealed to residents of both cities to celebrate the festival responsibly and follow safety guidelines.Police have directed that firecrackers be burst only between 7 pm and 9 pm in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines, with restrictions to be strictly observed in silence zones. Residents have also been advised to buy crackers only from licensed shops, use green crackers and report illegal sales on helpline 112.