New Delhi: The deaths of 19 people in a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata have raised serious concerns over crowd management, public safety and coordination between the police and festival organisers. The tragedy at Chorbagan, a popular Durga Puja venue, has prompted questions about whether adequate precautions were taken to manage the large number of visitors.
Massive Festival, Growing Safety Challenges
Durga Puja attracts millions of people to Kolkata every year, including visitors returning from different parts of India and abroad. The festival has grown into a major cultural event, with elaborate pandals drawing huge crowds across the city.
The scale of the celebrations places considerable pressure on transport systems, roads and public spaces. Kolkata Metro has operated around the clock during previous Durga Puja celebrations to accommodate the enormous movement of visitors between pandals.
With such large gatherings, effective crowd control and coordination between authorities and organisers remain essential to preventing accidents.
Questions Over Chorbagan Arrangements
Chorbagan has faced crowding challenges in the past, partly because of its narrow roads and the popularity of its themed decorations. On several occasions, organisers have reportedly been forced to suspend entry temporarily when the crowds became difficult to manage.
Previous interventions by the police helped ease congestion and prevent serious incidents. In 2018, heavy crowds and rainfall created a difficult situation shortly after the pandal’s inauguration. Police personnel changed the entry route to reduce congestion and restore order.
Questions have now emerged over why similar safeguards may not have been effective this year.
Former Organiser Questions Volunteer Deployment
Jayanta Banerjee, who served as general secretary of the puja committee, said he was not involved in this year’s arrangements and therefore could not determine responsibility for the tragedy.
Banerjee said he had stepped away after overseeing the celebrations for 12 years. He also alleged that trained volunteers who had previously helped control crowds were not deployed under the newly formed committee.
Focus on Coordination and Safety
More than 45,000 community Durga Pujas are being organised across West Bengal this year, according to government estimates. Kolkata Police traditionally meets puja committees ahead of the festival to discuss crowd control, safety measures and logistics.
The Chorbagan tragedy has renewed scrutiny of these arrangements. Organisers of other community pujas have stressed the importance of adequate space, trained volunteers and police support, particularly at venues expected to attract exceptionally large crowds.
