SOP
Kolkata: Mandatory pre-Puja inspections of pandals, adequate lighting inside pandals, clearly marked entry and exit points, wider exit passages, barricaded and monitored Chhath ghats, deployment of divers, ambulances and disaster management teams, and 24/7 district control rooms are among the key measures mentioned in the SOP formulated by the state urban development and municipal affairs department for Kali Puja , Jagaddhatri Puja and Chhath Puja .
Announcing the SOP, urban development and municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul said the measures were aimed at ensuring safety and smooth logistics during the upcoming festivals. “We should all keep in mind the unwanted incident that took place during Durga Puja and stay alert,” Paul said in a message posted on social media. Paul said that following instructions from the CM, who has assigned individual ministers to oversee specific districts, UD&MA officials will hold immediate joint meetings over the next two days with ministers, local MLAs, district magistrates and police authorities to discuss the issues listed in the SOP. Exit passages must be strictly wider than entry gates, supported by sufficient organizers’ volunteers,” Paul said.
“The police and local administration will thoroughly inspect all puja pandals before issuing NOCs. The interiors of pandals should not be dark and must have adequate lighting. Entry and exit points must be clearly defined.