Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Kolkata Bridges Get Alpona Makeover Ahead of Durga Puja
Kolkata is getting decorated for the Durga Puja festival.
The government is adding colourful paintings and traditional Bengali alpona designs to bridges and busy roads.
Gariahat bridge has been painted pink, orange and yellow.
Artists from different communities worked together on designs near Park Circus.
Minister Agnimitra Paul said this teamwork shows brotherhood and trust.
Red Road and the Hooghly river ghats are also being decorated.
The city may add designs at two more crossings if there is enough time.
West Bengal is decorating bridges and busy junctions with colourful designs and traditional alpona motifs before Durga Puja.
Gariahat bridge has been painted pink, orange and yellow, with alpona designs added near Park Circus and Garia More.
Urban development minister Agnimitra Paul said artists from minority communities and Hindu artists worked together at Park Circus.
Paul described the artwork as a symbol of brotherhood, love, trust and communal harmony.
The beautification also includes Red Road and Hooghly river ghats; Rashbehari and Park Street crossings may be decorated if time permits.
- Who
- The West Bengal government and artists, including Hindu artists and artists from minority communities; urban development minister Agnimitra Paul discussed the work.
- What
- Bridges, road junctions and other public spaces in Kolkata are being decorated with colourful paint and traditional alpona designs.
- When
- Ahead of Durga Puja.
- Where
- Kolkata, including Gariahat bridge, Park Circus, Garia More, Red Road and the Hooghly river ghats.
- Why
- To beautify the city for Durga Puja; Paul also presented the shared artwork as a gesture of trust and communal harmony.
Minister's framing
Context described in her remarks
Park Circus artwork
Minister's framing
Paul described artists from minority communities and Hindu artists working together on alpona designs as a demonstration of communal harmony and trust.
Context described in her remarks
Paul also referred to earlier incidents at Park Circus, including anti-India slogans, fires, and attacks on police personnel and vehicles; the article provides no separate response or opposing account.
- Occasion
- Durga Puja
- Featured design
- Alpona, a traditional Bengali decorative art
- Gariahat bridge colours
- Pink, orange and yellow
- Other locations mentioned
- Park Circus, Garia More, Red Road and the Hooghly river ghats
- Minister
- Agnimitra Paul, Bengal urban development minister
- Possible additional locations
- Rashbehari and Park Street crossings, if time permits