Snake worry at New Town pandals amid rain forecast
Times of India | 1 October 2024
Kolkata: The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) will provide a detailed list of important contact numbers, including that of snake catchers, to all puja organisers across New Town following multiple incidents of snake bites and sightings. Recent showers have led to overgrowth in and around parks where puja pandals have come up and have caused a worry as snakes usually emerge from the burrows when they get flooded.
On Monday, the authorities held a meeting with several puja organisers at the NKDA conference hall to discuss preparedness and civic measures. Officials said that so far, 55 puja committees from blocks and housing societies have received NOC from NKDA. At the meeting, NKDA stressed on cleanliness to keep snakes away from pandals, most of which are set up on open fields, and to prevent the areas from becoming potential dengue-breeding spots.
“A list of contact numbers of the forest department snake catchers will be provided to puja committees. The contact numbers of police stations, fire brigade, ambulance and other emergency services, along with the NKDA control room helpline number, will also be provided. A notice will be put up on the NKDA website. The NKDA solid waste management team will provide bins at all pandals. Dengue awareness banners and posters have been provided to several puja organisers and more will follow. All are urged to set up a kiosk for dengue awareness, if possible,” said an NKDA official.
“It is a good move by the authorities to take up such preparatory measures and will help ensure that no accident or untoward incident happens while people visit the pandals,” said New Town AE Block puja committee secretary Debmalya Shome.
Besides, puja organisers have been asked to ensure that electrical connections are in order with proper earthing. “From NKDA’s end, field cleaning and patchwork road repairs are on. Puja organisers have also been appraised about the parking arrangements,” an official said.
Discussions also took place on the preparations at the Bisarjan Ghat. “A detailed route map will be circulated among all puja groups so they can decide the route and timing of immersion,” said an official.