Kolkata Durga Puja: Organisers race to repair pandals after 23/9 deluge; curb entry amid crowd surge
Times of India | 26 September 2025Some had to restrict entry and a few put off inauguration as they fixed electrical connections, lighting systems, damaged decorations and built wooden walkways over soggy grounds. Most had to deploy heavy-duty pumps to drain out water after Tuesday's deluge flooded the pandals.
A fresh bout of rain on Thursday evening compounded matters for the organisers but did not deter enthusiastic pandal-hoppers who stepped out in large numbers.
At Chetla Agrani, entry was suspended around 3 pm after a section of the platform near the exit collapsed and sparks were seen from a chandelier. Mayor Firhad Hakim is the chief patron of the puja, which was inaugurated by the CM on Sunday.
Five mobile fire tenders on bikes reached the spot and brought the fire and sparks under control. "We are inspecting the wiring of the entire pandal," an official said.
Assistant secretary Samir Ghosh said, "Our volunteers were packing sand at the base of the platform that rests on bamboo stilts when they noticed a cavity below a bamboo pole.
At the time, there were many visitors, and more were streaming in. We immediately decided to close the pandal to prevent a mishap. We will notify the reopening on social media once the problem has been addressed."
At Deshapriya Park, a portion of the wooden pathway covering the wet ground collapsed on Thursday, forcing the organisers to remove the planks and rearrange them while urging revellers not to enter the pandal.
“We were to inaugurate the pandal on Wednesday but the rain and waterlogging forced us back to the drawing board. We had to undertake large-scale repairs, which are still underway. We are urging revellers trying to enter the pandal to wait for just one more day,” said Sudipto Kumar, an organising committee member.
Similar pleas were made by organisers of Ballygunge Cultural Association, which was heavily damaged in the rain.
“Repair works are still on and we have had to put up scaffolding across the pandal. But revellers are still coming in large numbers. We are appealing to them to return on Friday,” said Anjan Ukil, general secretary of the club.
Organisers at Young Boys Club on Tarachand Dutt Street said their club members and labourers worked overnight to finish the repairs by Thursday. On Tuesday, the organisers had struggled as power supply to the area was disconnected due to heavy waterlogging.
The puja, which is celebrating its 56th year, has ‘Operation Sindoor’ as its theme.
At Adibashi Brinda on Kanai Dhar Lane off Amherst Street, the organisers deployed more workers to clean up the pandal and install lights.
“Thankfully, there was adequate sunshine on Wednesday and Thursday, so we could wrap up the remaining work,” said Somnath Biswas, general secretary of the committee.
Sajal Ghosh of Santosh Mitra Square puja committee said, “To ensure revellers have a smooth visit, we are covering the entire ground with a wooden platform so that people can visit the pandal even if it rains.” On Thursday evening, entry to the pandal had to be closed for a while to control the surging crowd. The puja will be officially inaugurated on Friday.
