Durga Puja pandal safety has come under renewed scrutiny in Dhanbad after a local artist paid tribute to victims of the Chorbagan stampede in West Bengal, while organisers widened an entrance at a major puja venue to improve crowd movement and emergency access.
Artist Ramesh Thakur created the tribute at the Bengali Welfare Society’s Durga Puja pandal at Park Market in Dhanbad. His painting shows Maa Durga with a solemn expression beside a map of West Bengal, presenting the festival deity as a symbol of strength and protection while acknowledging the families mourning after the tragedy.
Thakur said the festival should continue to be celebrated, but devotees and organisers must remain sensitive to the suffering caused by such incidents. “Festivals should bring people together, with compassion shown towards grieving families,” he said, according to the report.
The tribute has coincided with a review of safety arrangements by the district administration and puja committees. At the Bengali Welfare Society pandal, a portion of the boundary wall was demolished to widen the entrance gate. Society president Gopal Bhattacharya said the change was made as a precaution for better crowd management and safe evacuation during emergencies.
The wider opening is also intended to allow heavy emergency vehicles, including fire-fighting vehicles, to reach the pandal more easily if a fire or other incident occurs. The modification highlights the importance of maintaining clear access routes at temporary public venues, where large gatherings, restricted entrances and surrounding structures can affect emergency response.
Senior Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar said officials had been directed to remain vigilant at all pandals to protect devotees and maintain law and order. He also warned that negligence or laxity by officials would be dealt with seriously, while directing personnel to ensure that security arrangements were followed.
The developments place responsibility on multiple actors involved in festival crowd management. Puja committees are responsible for preparing and operating their temporary venues, including entrances and evacuation routes, while district officials and police oversee public safety, security and compliance. The report does not specify the number of visitors expected at the Dhanbad pandals, the full list of safety measures under review or whether any formal inspection schedule has been issued.
For visitors, the immediate changes are visible at the Park Market pandal through the widened entrance and the administration’s heightened security instructions. The next stage will depend on how consistently safety arrangements are maintained across the district’s other pandals during the festival period. Officials have directed personnel to remain alert at all venues and enforce the required security measures.
