Lighting, Crowd Control and Fire Safety Mandated for Pujas

Kolkata, November 1: Public safety at pandals is in sharp focus in West Bengal after the tragedy at the Chorbagan community Durga Puja pandal. The state has now set out new rules for the Kali Puja and Jagadhatri Puja celebrations that will follow.

The guidelines, drawn up under a standard operating procedure, concentrate on fire safety, crowd management and lighting at pandal sites.

An official familiar with the matter said that the subdued lighting linked to the Chorbagan pandal theme had obstructed effective crowd control. As a result, community Kali Puja and Jagadhatri Puja organisers have received explicit directions to keep the pandal complex adequately illuminated.

Lighting requirements extend beyond the pandal interior. Committees must also provide sufficient light at the entry and exit gates.

Entry and exit routes must be wide enough to accommodate devotees comfortably, the officials said.

Volunteers form a central part of the crowd control strategy. Committees must deploy enough of them to match the expected number of visitors.

Devotees waiting outside should enter a pandal only after those already inside have walked out. The administration says this will keep the crowd within the premises from becoming unruly. For major pujas, ambulances must be arranged, and every pandal must have first-aid facilities.

On fire prevention, the procedure requires committees to keep fire extinguishers inside pandals. The state fire services department has also been told to ensure that fire tenders reach the location of any fire within 15 minutes of receiving a call.