'Tourism dept to set up tourist resort in Chandannagar'

Kolkata: The state Tourism department will set up a tourist resort at Chandannagar, Indranil Sen, Minister of State for Tourism said on Monday.

Sen said this will help the people from Kolkata to go to Chandannagar and watch the grand carnival before the immersion of Jagadhatri idols.

Sen congratulated the district administration and police for managing the pandal hoppers excellently during the four days of puja.

Lakhs of people from Kolkata and the neighbouring districts visit Chandannagar around this time.

The streets are lit up and the pandals are decorated with colourful lights.

The decoration in lights, particularly huge cut-outs of animals, important persons, historical events and even landscapes laced with coloured bulbs have made Chandannagar world famous.

Sen said CCTV cameras were installed at 55 strategic points to stop untoward incidents. A traffic guard was opened shortly before the puja for smooth movement of traffic. Like Kolkata, a grand carnival was held on Monday evening where 55 Jagadhatri idols were paraded through the important roads before immersion. Special arrangements were made at the ghats which have been brightly illuminated. In addition to policemen, a number of civic volunteers were also deployed for peaceful immersion.

The Jagadhatri puja of Chandannagar is more than 300 years old. During the puja, the whole city turns into a dreamland.

The streets are illuminated and the pandals are decorated with colourful lights. Trinamool Congress MP Abishek Banerjee had come to Chandannagar to inaugurate some community pujas.

The best pandals and decorations were awarded.