Kolkata, Sep 26: Kolkata Police has asked Durga Puja organisers to strictly adhere to safety norms, ensure proper crowd management and refrain from harassing people while collecting subscriptions, officials said on Saturday.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda held a coordination meeting with Puja committees and senior police officers at Nazrul Mancha on Friday to review arrangements for the festival, with focus on security, traffic management and crowd control.
Nanda directed organisers to ensure separate entry and exit routes at pandals and make adequate arrangements to deal with rain-related contingencies.
He also stressed the need for coordination with civic authorities for timely completion of road repairs, drainage work and other infrastructure-related measures around Puja venues.
Police officials said around 10,000 personnel, along with nearly 21,000 temporary home guards and NCC cadets, would be deployed across the city during the Puja period.
The commissioner also asked Puja committees to use the digital ‘Sahaj’ portal to obtain necessary permissions and clearances.
“Most applications and related issues are being processed through the portal,” officials said.
Organisers have been asked to ensure that subscription collection does not cause inconvenience or amount to coercion, the KP official said.
Kolkata Police routinely issues permission to organise around 3,000 pujas in kolkata. (PTI)
