kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The over a month remains until Durga Puja 2025, and the authorities in Kolkata’s Bidhannagar region have issued a comprehensive set of safety guidelines to preempt any untoward incidents. The Bidhannagar Police Commissioner's office has stepped in to address concerns raised last year—particularly about dim lighting and crowded pandals—by mandating measures aimed at enhancing accessibility and visibility at celebration venues. Among the new directives is the strict requirement for separate washrooms for men and women, accompanied by ample lighting in key zones such as the pandal squares, entrances, and adjacent parking areas. These safety measures are designed to facilitate smooth visitor movement and reduce risks during emergencies.

Police officials noted that some pandals last year intentionally opted for dim atmospheres to align with thematic portrayals, but this resulted in logistical challenges for visitors’ navigation. To prevent similar scenarios, organizers have been proactively reminded to adhere to safety standards. The guidance emphasizes the need for well-designed pandal layouts to avoid overcrowding, with mandatory separate entry and exit gates—exits being deliberately made twice the width of entrances to ensure efficient evacuation routes. Moreover, the commission instructed that both male and female entrants must have distinct entry pathways.

Beyond pedestrian movement, organizers must now ensure easy access for fire and ambulance services. Safety infrastructure is being bolstered with compulsory CCTV installation such that recordings are retained for at least 15 days, and at least one camera covers the road outside the pandal. Complementing this, fire extinguishers, designated booths for police and firefighters, and prominently displayed emergency contact numbers are now mandatory. Loudspeakers are prohibited after 10 PM, and aggressive collection of donations is explicitly banned.

Applications for permissions must be submitted between August 21 and September 8 via the Bidhannagar City Police's official website, following which scrutiny by authorities will follow.

These notices align more broadly with similar cautionary steps across the metropolis. For instance, the Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja committee received a precautionary letter from Kolkata Police in mid-May, subsequently reinforced in June. The communications highlighted requirements ranging from open pathways inside pandals and the prohibition of light and sound displays, to the elimination of hawkers near exits. The goal is to ensure a safe festival environment, not to dampen cultural expressions. Organizers have embraced these requests, emphasizing their positive intent and public safety benefits.

Collectively, these measures paint a picture of a city approaching its most cherished festival with heightened awareness. Authorities balance cultural vibrancy with public safety, ensuring that creativity doesn’t come at the cost of well-being. For Durga Puja—one of India’s largest urban gatherings—crowd control and preparedness are not optional but essential.