Kolkata Pujas step up bundobust to curb traffic snarls, crowding – Times of India

The Calcutta High Court’s recent order barring entry of the public into Puja pandals to keep them from turning into COVID-19 super-spreader events has prompted clubs around the city to make a plethora of arrangements to comply. “This is the second Puja amidst the pandemic and nothing is more important than everyone’s safety. We have taken all the necessary precautions,” said Debroop Bhattacharya from Behala Nutan Sangha. Several other Puja committees are taking steps to minimise crowding in their pandals in keeping with the HC order.
Making the Pujas visible from the road
Last year, three clubs had jointly organised a Puja near Kalighat and made the pandal in such a way that the idol was visible from the main road. That is the trend this year, with several Pujas setting up pandals in a similar way.
For that, the clubs have made some minimal changes to their pandal layout and location. Behala Nutan Sangha, for instance, used to set up their pandal at the end of a lane near Behala 14 No. bus stand, “But this year we have erected our pandal at the mouth of that lane so that people walking or driving along the Roy Bahadur Road can see the entire pandal and the idol from a distance or from the safety of their cars,” said Debroop.
No-selfie Zone
Then again, the Puja committees know from past experience that the ‘selfie’ crowd can gather even in pandals offering a drive-by view. And that’s exactly why many Puja organisers are planning to declare the main entrance to the pandal a “no selfie zone”. “We are putting up signages with ‘No Photography’ and ‘No Selfie’ written on them. Besides, there will be volunteers to enforce the rules,” said Sajal Ghosh from the Santosh Mitra Square Puja.
Strict traffic management
Durga Puja is considered one of the toughest times for Kolkata Police, as traffic tends to be nightmarish. And this year, since several Pujas have a drive-by set-up, the police have already expressed their concern regarding traffic management. So, the Puja committees are also making arrangements to ensure that the traffic keeps moving. Pradyumna Mukherjee from the 66 Palli Puja, said, “Usually 18 to 19 volunteers from our club manage traffic, but this year, 22 volunteers are being deployed to ensure that there’s no traffic congestion. Besides, there will be constant announcements to keep the traffic smooth.”
live streaming & large screens
Many Pujas are planning to live stream important moments of the Puja and decorations of their pandals on their social media handles. This trend started last year and has picked up pace this year. Several cameras are being installed in the Beliaghata 33 Palli Puja pandal for this purpose. “We’re installing a giant screen so that people can see the rituals from a distance. Our Puja will anyway be visible from the main road, but the screen will provide a closer look,” said Abhinaba De from the Puja committee.
Barricades in place
According to safety guidelines, the crowd needs to be at least 10 meters away from the main pandal. “To ensure this, we’re barricading the pandal. Only core members and some volunteers will be allowed in,” said Indranil Ghosh from the Salt Lake AK Block Puja.