Kolkata’s fire safety enforcement has intensified after inspections found serious deficiencies at three major Durga Puja pandals in south Kolkata, including the use of highly flammable materials, inadequate lighting and insufficient ventilation for large crowds. The Fire Department issued notices to Tridhara Sammilani, Ballygunge Cultural Association and Chetla Agrani Club on Saptami, according to a report by Anandabazar – Kolkata.
The inspections followed the deaths of 19 people at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja in north Kolkata. In response, the police and administration increased surveillance across the city, while a government-appointed team began checking crowd management and safety arrangements at prominent pandals. Senior Indian Police Service officers with previous experience in managing large gatherings were also brought in to assist with festival crowd control.
At Tridhara Sammilani, which is celebrating its 80th year, inspectors found highly flammable materials in the pandal decoration. The theme, titled ‘Surasur’, features a Durga idol made using around 13,000 pens and has been attracting large crowds. The Fire Department warned that the materials could create a dangerous situation in the event of an accident and directed the organisers to arrange adequate safety measures immediately. The committee was asked to submit a report to the local fire station on Sunday night.
The 76th edition of the Ballygunge Cultural Association puja was also served a notice. The committee’s theme, ‘Yojan’, combines traditional elements with artistic design. Inspectors identified inadequate lighting inside the pandal, which could make evacuation and movement difficult during an emergency. The committee was instructed to install sufficient lighting without delay. The notice also directed organisers to keep commercial activities away from the entrance and exit routes and to report compliance by the end of Saptami night.
At Chetla Agrani Club, the inspection team identified inadequate lighting as well as a shortage of fans and air-conditioning equipment inside the pandal. The club’s theme this year is ‘Bishwarupe Bishwarupini’. The report noted that the number of visitors was high compared with the available ventilation and cooling arrangements. The organisers had already stopped entry temporarily on Saturday because of crowd pressure.
The notices place immediate responsibility on the three puja committees to correct the identified deficiencies while visitor numbers remain high. They also show how fire safety at large festival venues depends not only on firefighting equipment, but on the choice of decorative materials, visibility inside the structure, unobstructed entry and exit routes, and the ability to manage heat and crowd density. Further action will depend on the compliance reports submitted by the organisers to the local fire authorities.
