Durga Puja Crowd Rush Near Central Avenue Sparks Safety Concerns in Kolkata

A crowd surge incident near Kolkata's Central Avenue during Durga Puja festivities has raised significant concerns over safety and security arrangements at major pandals. A ground report highlighted that an incident occurred in a narrow approach lane leading to a prominent pandal adjacent to Central Avenue. Following rainfall, wet roads and a sudden rush of visitors led to chaos, prompting police to close the approach road and barricade the area to prevent further public entry. The report observed that while the administration and Kolkata Police lay down guidelines, standard operating procedures, and deploy civic volunteers alongside puja committee volunteers, managing massive footfalls remains challenging. Several historic Sarbojanin pujas across the city operate out of narrow bylanes flanked by bamboo barricades, advertising pillars, and food stalls, complicating safe passage and rescue access during peak festive rush.