KOLKATA: The city police, which had invited controversy with some Puja organizers across Behala, Chetla, Shyampukur and Muchipara by suggesting they “go slow” with their pandal constructions, has now decided to only monitor them. Local police stations will keep an eye on construction of Durga Puja pandals, but will not step in unless there is a major violation.
With less than 50 days left for the Pujas, cops withdrew their advisory on the rules to build a pandal.
“Like everything else in life now, we need to celebrate Durga Puja with due precautions. But once constructions begin, it might be difficult to make last-moment changes. For example, this year, we need space inside pandals to maintain social distance. We had expected that a broad guideline could be decided on after talking to all stakeholders, but the organizers are in a hurry. They said they were aware of the challenges and hence, the advisory has been revoked. Unlike what is being claimed in certain quarters, there was no pressure,” said an officer.
Among organizers who received some advice, either over phone or directly from cops, were Kumartuli Sarbojanin, Chetla Agrani, Bhowanipore Bakulbagan and Haridevpur Ajeyo Sanghati.
“The police asked us to wait for a couple of days, but did not directly ask us to stop construction,” said Samir Ghosh of Chetla Agrani. Thakurpukur SB Park organizers said the communication from cops left them in a quandary, especially since this is the 50th year of their Puja. But another call on Wednesday helped soothe nerves. “We have changed the theme and made several changes to our original plan. Any break in work now will be a major blow,” said one of the organizers.
The cops said that in any other year, the directives for Durga Puja are ready by this time. “This year, the Covid situation has changed a lot of things. We do not even know what precautions the pandal makers are taking. It is important to keep everyone’s needs and safety in mind. For that to happen, we can only plead with the organizers to bear with us till the final guidelines are ready,” said an officer.
Lalbazar has already asked all traffic guards to report if new parking arrangements can be made outside important pandals after maintaining necessary social distance.
With less than 50 days left for the Pujas, cops withdrew their advisory on the rules to build a pandal.
“Like everything else in life now, we need to celebrate Durga Puja with due precautions. But once constructions begin, it might be difficult to make last-moment changes. For example, this year, we need space inside pandals to maintain social distance. We had expected that a broad guideline could be decided on after talking to all stakeholders, but the organizers are in a hurry. They said they were aware of the challenges and hence, the advisory has been revoked. Unlike what is being claimed in certain quarters, there was no pressure,” said an officer.
Among organizers who received some advice, either over phone or directly from cops, were Kumartuli Sarbojanin, Chetla Agrani, Bhowanipore Bakulbagan and Haridevpur Ajeyo Sanghati.
“The police asked us to wait for a couple of days, but did not directly ask us to stop construction,” said Samir Ghosh of Chetla Agrani. Thakurpukur SB Park organizers said the communication from cops left them in a quandary, especially since this is the 50th year of their Puja. But another call on Wednesday helped soothe nerves. “We have changed the theme and made several changes to our original plan. Any break in work now will be a major blow,” said one of the organizers.
The cops said that in any other year, the directives for Durga Puja are ready by this time. “This year, the Covid situation has changed a lot of things. We do not even know what precautions the pandal makers are taking. It is important to keep everyone’s needs and safety in mind. For that to happen, we can only plead with the organizers to bear with us till the final guidelines are ready,” said an officer.
Lalbazar has already asked all traffic guards to report if new parking arrangements can be made outside important pandals after maintaining necessary social distance.
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