Addressing puja committees at the Bijoya greetings programme at Milan Mela on Monday, Adhikari said preparations for safer festivals will start from Oct 28.
Sources in the state administration said they expect guidelines to be firmed up on the dos and don’ts by Wednesday, once the meeting ends. The meeting will also cover Chhath Puja and Jagatdhatri Puja preparations. Kolkata: Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari is expected to hold a meeting with Kali Puja organisers on Wednesday to discuss the safety and security measures at pandals.
Last year, a total of 2,644 Kali Puja organisers had got themselves registered. Learning from the Chorbagan stampede that killed 19 people, besides crowd management, the administration has been asked to take all precautions against possible fire incidents. No firecrackers above 90 decibels can be used,” the cops have reminded.
Sources said it is usually launched on the day of Lakhsmi Puja.
The Sahaj portal – which was scheduled to be launched on Monday to allow registration of Kali Puja through a single window system just like Durga Puja – has been further “delayed by 24 to 72 hours” to factor in possible new regulations, stated Lalbazar sources. All OCs have been asked to keep in touch with organisers on having separate entry and exit gates. The top brass has reminded the organisers that all immersion processions, as indeed the puja itself, must follow all rules as laid out by the courts and the administration. “There are a few things that cannot be compromised with. There cannot be any use of DJ. Only green crackers can be used. But these crackers should not be used either on main roads or near electrical connections.
A few organisers have also called for traffic diversions at these spots a day earlier than usual.