Kolkata Traffic Police is gearing up to control the crowd ahead of Durga Puja celebrations in the city. The capital of West Bengal sees huge crowds at shopping markets during festivals. New Market, Hatibagan, Gariahat, Behala, Garia and Jadavpur are some of the busiest market areas. However, the prospect of a third Covid wave is keeping the administration on its toes.
The state health department has directed the traffic police to surround all the markets with bamboo sticks to control the influx of people. Like the puja pandals, all major shopping markets in Kolkata will now have separate entry and exit points. This will help the authorities to segregate the crowd and ensure adherence to the COVID-19 protocol.
The traffic police have also been instructed to use bamboo barricading to restrict the flow of people whenever necessary. Additionally, the state government has again urged citizens to follow all COVID-19 guidelines such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced Rs 50,000 as financial assistance to all Durga Puja committees in the state, India Today reports. Along with this, the organizers will also get 50 percent subsidy on electricity during the four-day festival.
Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 11 to October 15 this year. However, the fear of another Covid-19 wave looms large. Banerjee has urged citizens to follow all necessary guidelines to limit the spread of coronavirus.
He has also appealed to all Durga Puja committees to distribute hand sanitizers to the devotees in the pandal. As per an India Today report, Banerjee has also assured that she will not announce any new restrictions during Durga Puja, she said, adding that the state had already suffered a lot due to Covid-19 last year.
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