Siliguri, 02nd November: The Siliguri Municipal Corporation held an important meeting with puja committees on Monday ahead of the upcoming Kali Puja and Chhath Puja. Tourism Minister and Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh, the Municipal Commissioner, and officials from the electricity department, fire services, police and other departments attended the meeting along with members of various puja committees.
Several important instructions were issued regarding the organisation of the pujas. Committees were clearly instructed not to play DJs during the celebrations. For major pujas, separate entry and exit gates must be arranged at the pandals. Special emphasis was placed on ensuring that exit gates are wider than entry gates to manage crowds effectively and prevent any untoward incidents.
Members of the puja committees raised various problems and grievances during the meeting. Minister Shankar Ghosh listened to their concerns and advised the committees to submit their complaints and issues in writing to the Municipal Corporation. He assured them that necessary steps would be taken to resolve the issues that could be addressed.
Shankar Ghosh also indicated changes in the planning of next year’s pujas. He said that advance meetings would be held with puja committees from next year to discuss arrangements for open pandals. The aim would be to facilitate smoother darshan, allowing visitors to view the idols without having to enter the pandals and exit through a separate route.
