West Bengal Government Takes Action Following Durga Puja Stampede
In response to a stampede during Durga Puja, West Bengal government issues notices to three committees for safety violations.
Kolkata, October 18 (Daily Kiran) : The West Bengal government has swiftly responded to a stampede incident that occurred during Durga Puja celebrations in Chorabagan. A high-level committee has been established to review safety measures at Durga Puja pandals, leading to the issuance of notices to three major organizing committees.
This committee comprises three senior officials: Rajesh Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of the Disaster Management Department; Anuj Sharma, Director General of West Bengal Fire Services; and Javed Shameem, Director General of the West Bengal Special Task Force. On Sunday, they inspected several pandals across Kolkata and identified serious safety deficiencies.
Following the inspections, the Divisional Fire Officer for South Kolkata promptly issued notices to the three committees, instructing them to rectify the identified issues. The first notice was directed to the Balyanag Cultural Association, which was found to have inadequate lighting within the pandal, posing risks during emergencies. Organizers have been ordered to enhance lighting and ensure clear visibility. Additionally, all commercial activities near entry and exit points have been prohibited, with organizers required to notify the local fire station by 7 PM.
The second notice was issued to the Chetla Agrani Club, where insufficient lighting was also reported. Organizers must install adequate fans and air conditioning to prevent suffocation. Furthermore, several temporary structures for shops and commercial activities adjacent to the pandal were found to violate Section 23A of the West Bengal Fire Service Act, 1950. The use of LPG cylinders in some shops also raised significant fire hazards, prompting authorities to demand the removal of these structures by 8 PM.
The third notice was given to the Tridhara Sammilani, where decorations made from highly flammable materials were observed inside the pandal, increasing the risk of rapid fire spread. Organizers are mandated to ensure the safety of all electrical appliances and wiring, with a report to the local fire station due by 9 PM.
