KOLKATA:
The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (
NKDA) have chalked up elaborate Covid safety arrangements at its
immersion ghat for next week. Thousands of idols from New Town and adjacent areas come at the New Town Bisarjan ghat for immersion.
Officials conducted an inspection of the immersion ghat to look into the arrangements being prepared. After consultation with the police, it has been decided that there would be three
demarcated zones. At most four persons per puja would be allowed in the immersion zone along with measures like wearing masks and maintaining safe distance. The process will be manned by NKDA workers and officials. There will be additional five CCTVs and drone surveillance at the immersion ghat.
Officials said that no dhakis should be brought by the
puja organisers for immersion as NKDA would arrange for dhakis at the ghat and there will be no charges for any puja committee coming to immerse their idol at the ghat.
The immersion ghat is fenced and barricaded so that not many people will be able to enter the immersion zone. Organisers will be able to see the immersion process from a safe distance from the viewing zones that have been set up.
All vehicles carrying the idols will enter the immersion ghat zone from one side and exit from the other side. The one-way traffic movement will enable the immersion processions to stop at least 100 meter away from the ghat.
A ramp has been built from the bank to the water with stairs on both sides of the ramp. NKDA workers will help the puja organisers to lower the idols towards the ghat with the help of ropes down the ramp leading into the water. There will be large bins on the bank of the immersion ghat for throwing flowers and other puja materials.
There will also be sufficient arrangements for light, watch towers and public address system for continuous monitoring and guiding the puja committees to conduct the immersion process smoothly. LED screens are being erected for display of immersion for the crowd.
Medical camps and disaster management personnel would also be kept ready for any kind of emergency.