The partially constructed pandal and other materials in the closed venue in Sealdah
The club has been organising Durga Puja at the ground since 1948 and had planned a London Bridge-themed pandal this year. The puja has a budget of Rs 35 lakh–Rs 40 lakh and the committee had made advance payments for the idol, decorator and other services. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in Kolkata Stay updated with the latest Kolkata news.
However, the organisers said “no specific reason was communicated to the puja committee”. We kept asking why but they just locked up the area,” said Srijit Saha, secretary of the puja committee. “They told us they were helpless and could not allow us to continue. We have been left with no other option but to approach the court,” said Saha. We are not authorised to speak beyond this,” said one of the RPF personnel posted outside. “We are staring at severe financial loss,” said a member.
“They requested us to stop work. “We have received orders from our seniors. We cannot allow any work inside unless we get further instructions. Senior RPF officials could not be reached for comment. The committee had applied for permission in June but a dispute over the use of the ground delayed preparations. A carnival is also held at the venue during puja, and people who had booked stalls and made advance payments have taken the money back and cancelled bookings. Download the TOI App.
The Sealdah Railway Athletic Club has had to halt puja preparations barely three weeks before the festival, which has raised the prospect of significant financial losses. Kolkata: A dispute over permission to hold Durga Puja at a Sealdah ground took a fresh turn on Sunday when authorities locked the venue. On Sunday, TOI had highlighted the permission dispute that had left the club with very little time to prepare for puja. On Sunday afternoon, RPF personnel stopped work at the venue and locked the park, according to allegations by the organisers. The park, with the partially complete pandal and other materials, remained locked on Monday, with two RPF personnel posted outside. Senior members of the puja committee met officials on Monday, seeking an explanation and permission to resume work.