South Kolkata Puja Pandals Under Special Scrutiny After Fatal Stampede
Following a fatal stampede in North Kolkata, fire officials place major South Kolkata Puja pandals under special scrutiny to ensure safety.
In the wake of a devastating tragedy that claimed numerous lives, the Kolkata Fire Department has placed several high-profile South Kolkata Puja pandals under special scrutiny. This urgent move comes as authorities scramble to prevent further mishaps during the festive season following a fatal stampede at a pandal in the Chorbagan area of North Kolkata.
Strict Directives for Major Pandals
The Fire Department has issued formal written instructions to the organizing committees of some of the city's most popular venues. The committees of Chetla, Tridhara, Deshapriya Park, and Tollygunge Cultural have been specifically directed to overhaul their safety protocols.
The primary focus of these directives includes:
- Entry and Exit Management: Committees must pay special attention to the flow of crowds and ensure that entry and exit routes are clear and efficient to avoid bottlenecks.
- Fire Safety Enhancements: Additional fire safety measures must be implemented immediately to protect the thousands of devotees visiting these sites.
The Chorbagan Tragedy
The crackdown follows a horrific incident on Saturday, October 17, at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata. A massive stampede broke out, resulting in the deaths of 19 people and leaving 25 others injured. The injured victims were rushed to the Medical College and Hospital for urgent treatment.
The scale of the tragedy has prompted a high-level response from the state and central governments. The Chief Minister, accompanied by the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), and the Commissioner of Police (CP), is closely monitoring the situation to ensure stability and safety.
Compensation and Accountability
To support the grieving families, the West Bengal government has announced a compensation package of Rs 25 lakh and a government job for the family of each victim.
Adding to the relief efforts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of the deceased. Those injured in the stampede will receive Rs 50,000.
Investigation Underway
The state has not left the incident to chance. A Special Task Force (STF) has launched a comprehensive investigation to fix accountability and determine how such a lapse in crowd management occurred at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal.
For those seeking assistance or information, the government has established a dedicated helpline: 1800 345 5678.