The bloodshed ended the festive mood in West Bengal’s capital within hours. A stampede-like crush at one of the city’s puja pandals claimed 19 lives and left 25 others injured, prompting the administration to intervene immediately. By late Saturday evening, officials had issued directives to several of Kolkata’s most popular venues to halt visitor entry.
The order targeted the high-density “crowd-pulling” pujas that draw the largest footfalls. Tala Pratyay, Alipore Sarbojanin, Chetla Agrani, and Ballygunge Sarbojonin were among the first to receive instructions to stop allowing enthusiasts inside. The show at Allen Park was cancelled outright. Organisers of the Santosh Mitra Square Puja voluntarily restricted access, citing an inability to manage the influx. Sajal Ghosh, president of that puja committee, stated the entry had been scaled down to prevent another tragedy.
Police acted proactively in other high-traffic zones as well. In the Bidhannagar satellite township, major pujas in Salt Lake were ordered to shut down entry points. A senior Kolkata Police officer confirmed the move, noting that wherever information indicated a major rush, organisers were instructed to stop people from entering. “This is a temporary decision, and we may take a call tomorrow,” the officer said, signaling the fluid nature of the current lockdown.
With nearly 3,500 Durga Pujas operating across the city, the ripple effect of Saturday’s disaster is significant. The administration is balancing public safety against the cultural imperative of the festival. A senior bureaucrat confirmed that the state administration and Kolkata Police will convene a review meeting on Sunday. That session will decide whether the temporary closures extend or if controlled entry resumes as the festival enters its critical final days.