14 hrs ago
Kolkata Police Inspect Durga Puja Pandals for Festival Safety
Kolkata is preparing for its Durga Puja celebrations.
On Tuesday, Police Commissioner Ajay Nand and other officers visited several pandals, where people gather to see decorated idols.
They checked how visitors will enter and leave, how crowds will move, and whether fire and emergency plans are ready.
CCTV cameras will help monitor the pandals.
Police are also planning for especially large crowds if a particular display becomes popular.
They will try to limit detours while keeping people safe.
More than 300 applications for new pujas have been submitted, and officials are still checking them.
Durga Puja is scheduled for October 16 to 21 this year.
Commissioner Ajay Nand led senior police officers on Tuesday inspections of major Durga Puja venues across Kolkata.
Teams reviewed crowd management, entry and exit routes, fire safety, emergency readiness, security and CCTV surveillance.
Inspected venues included Allen Park, Santosh Mitra Square, College Square, Suruchi Sangha and Chetla Agrani.
Police are assessing crowd circulation and preparing for extra visitor surges if a pandal theme draws large crowds.
More than 300 applications for new puja celebrations were received within Kolkata Police jurisdiction; approvals await document checks and site inspections.
- Who
- Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand and senior Kolkata Police officers.
- What
- Police inspected Durga Puja pandals and reviewed crowd control, safety, security and emergency preparations.
- Where
- Several Kolkata pandals, including Allen Park, Santosh Mitra Square, College Square, Suruchi Sangha and Chetla Agrani.
- When
- Tuesday, a few days before the festival; Durga Puja is scheduled for October 16 to 21 this year.
- Why
- To protect visitors and prepare for crowd surges and other safety needs during the festival.
Visitor access and movement
Crowd safety and traffic flow
Routes and diversions at crowded pandals
Visitor access and movement
Visitors have previously complained about a nearly 3km circuitous route to Santosh Mitra Square instead of a shorter route from Sealdah station; police say they will try to keep diversions to a minimum.
Crowd safety and traffic flow
Police say visitor circulation and diversions may be needed when crowds swell, and are assessing routes to reduce overcrowding and stampede-like risks.
Vehicles and pedestrian movement
Visitor access and movement
Completely stopping vehicle traffic on stretches such as Park Street could inconvenience the general public.
Crowd safety and traffic flow
Police say they must manage pedestrian flow and ensure visitors can move around safely while preventing traffic from coming to a standstill.
Key facts
- Inspection lead
- Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand
- Inspections
- Senior officers inspected several puja committees and pandals on Tuesday.
- Named venues
- Allen Park, Santosh Mitra Square, College Square, Suruchi Sangha and Chetla Agrani
- Festival dates
- October 16 to 21 this year
- Applications
- More than 300 applications for new puja celebrations were received within Kolkata Police jurisdiction.
- Safety checks
- Reviews included crowd flow, entry and exit, firefighting, emergency readiness, security and CCTV.
- Traffic planning
- Police aim to balance vehicle movement with pedestrian flow and minimize crowd diversions.
Quotes
Ajay Nand
Kolkata Police commissioner who led the inspection
“This enthusiasm among visitors is an unpredictable variable. However, managing the overwhelming crowds is the real test for us. That is why we are maintaining constant communication with the pandal organisers and keeping backup plans ready in advance.”
thestatesman.com
“We inspected the standard procedures in place for crowd management and the safety and security of visitors, firefighting preparedness, crowd entry and exit, and CCTV surveillance at all pandals.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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