Siliguri, 23rd September: The Siliguri Metropolitan Police held a meeting with representatives of Puja committees at a hotel in the Bhakti Nagar police station area as part of preparations for Durga Puja. The meeting focused on security, traffic management, crowd control and environmental protection, with necessary guidelines issued to the committees for the festival.
According to the administration, Siliguri has around 600-650 registered Puja committees, while nearly 1,000 unregistered Pujas are organised in the city. Around 150 online applications have been received so far this year.
To provide information on parking and traffic arrangements during the Puja, 10 electronic display boards will be installed at key locations across the city.
Puja committees have been directed to ensure proper entry and exit arrangements at pandals, keep firefighting equipment in place and maintain the required safety distance from electrical installations.
As part of environmental protection measures, the use of thermocol and PVC plastic will remain prohibited, while Puja committees have been encouraged to use biodegradable materials.
Volunteers from Puja committees will also be provided training in crowd management and handling emergency situations.
Officials from the police, BSF, SSB, Siliguri Municipal Corporation, Fire and Emergency Services, electricity department and Pollution Control Board, among other departments, were present at the meeting.
