The Durga Puja coordination meeting at Nazrul Mancha on Friday
At least three pujas, including Natun Dal, Chetla Agrani and Suruchi Sangha, requested police presence until 3-4 am instead of the midnight-to-2 am stand-down. KMC officials said work had slowed due to incessant rain but assured organisers it would be completed by the Oct 10 Mahalaya deadline.
Lalbazar sources said the request was being “actively considered,” but “the presence of an additional Saptami this year has already put the police deployment to extreme challenges. Kolkata Police officers said final pandal inspections would begin next Monday. “We would suggest that all attempts must be made to ensure that movement towards Behala through Buroshibtala remains smooth,” said an organiser. Police said they would be deployed in full force from Chaturthi.
Kolkata: Durga Puja organisers sought civic and police help to improve drainage, roads and traffic around pandals, amid concerns over waterlogging. At the puja coordination meeting between Kolkata Police and organisers at Nazrul Mancha, three big pujas in Behala and Kasba sought drainage desilting to prevent waterlogging and complete pandal work on time. The new puja at Allen Park requested for a dedicated helpline to raise concerns with police, fire services and civic agencies. Security concerns included barriers and women’s safety. Organisers urged traffic management and parking control. Organisers also urged police to tackle rogue bikers and ensure smoother traffic movement around key pandal zones.