Adhikari Orders Safety Checks at Durga Puja Pandals After Stampede

Nineteen people died at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal, prompting a statewide safety review. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has formed a senior panel to inspect major pandals and recommend ways to prevent another crush. The review will focus on crowd movement, exits and structural safety^2,4.

The panel will be led by Disaster Management Principal Secretary Rajesh Sinha, Fire Services chief Anuj Sharma and senior police officer Javed Shamim. Its members will visit major venues with police, under the guidance of the state police chief. At Chorbagan on Saturday evening, a crowd surged as heavy rain fell. Witnesses described packed, poorly managed queues and people being pushed inside. Police are investigating whether confusion over announcements and entry and exit routes, along with security guards’ whistles, played a role. Those possible causes have not been confirmed^1,2.

The inspections matter because Durga Puja draws large crowds to temporary festival structures. More visitors are expected in the coming days, especially on Ashtami and Navami. The Chorbagan disaster killed 19 and injured 25. One injured person was reported in critical condition, while 24 were out of danger. The panel recommends wider exits, better lighting and removing bottlenecks caused by temporary rope barriers. Organisers may be told to hold rituals inside and use screens outside when elaborate structures create safety risks or block movement^2,3.

Organisers must follow the recommendations, with visitor safety taking priority over elaborate themes. Police have detained 12 people for questioning and are examining CCTV footage. A separate investigation into the stampede has also been announced. The government has promised each deceased person’s family Rs 25 lakh and a government job, and Rs 5 lakh for each injured person. The panel’s visits to major pandals are the next concrete step^2,3,14.