The Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata’s Jagat Mukherjee Park this year, through its innovative theme highlights the contrasting images of the city’s underwater Metro and the pollution afflicting the River Ganges.

As Kolkata Metro marks its 40th year, the pandal has been transformed into a miniature underwater Metro station, replete with captivating lights and sounds, and an eco-friendly message, advocating for a cleaner Ganga River.

Explaining the theme, Subal Pal, the chief artist designing the pandal, said it was chosen to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Kolkata Metro. “It is Kolkata Metro’s 40th year, so the theme of this puja pandal is ‘Platform Howrah Maidan’ (underwater Metro station). By showcasing the Metro passing under river Hooghly, we aim to highlight the city’s progress, while drawing attention to the pressing issue of Ganga pollution,” he said while speaking to The Indian Express.

The centerpiece is a representation of Goddess Durga embodied as Maa Ganga — a powerful symbol that serves as a poignant reminder of the river’s divinity and the collective responsibility to protect it.

Artwork highlights the need for conservation of river Ganga.

Centred around Kolkata’s East-West Metro Line making waves at the Howrah-Maidan station in Jagat Mukherjee Park, this pandal has a hydraulic base which moves and vibrates.

Visitors can reach the pandal by getting off at the Shyambazar or Sovabazar Metro stations and take a five minute walk to the destination. “…I’m in complete awe of this pandal… It’s so close to the real Metro, seems unbelievable that one is inside a puja pandal,” said visitor Aarti Chabra.

India’s first underground metro, the Kolkata Metro, showcases an exceptional feature – its underwater tunnel. The country’s first underwater Metro system, between Esplanade to Howrah station, passes through a 1.5 km tunnel.

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