Transport dept makes arrangements for Puja Parikrama

Kolkata: The state Transport department has made an elaborate arrangement to help pandal hoppers visit famous Durga Puja mandaps in the city in buses and trams.

At the same time, arrangements have also been made to take people on river Hooghly in vessels to let them watch immersion of Durga idols.

Buses will be plying from different points including Howrah, Barasat, Habra, Shyambazar, Tollygunge Tram depot, Esplanade and Baruipur. Air-conditioned buses will also be plying from Esplanade and Barasat.

The booking for the buses for Puja Parikrama has already started and it will continue till September 23.

At the same time, people can also avail special AC or Non-AC trams to visit their favourite Puja mandaps.

The special bus service for Puja Parikrama will be available for three days during Durga Puja from Saptami to Navami while the tram service will be made available only on two days that is on September 27 and 29.

In a bid to help the pandal hoppers, who will be availing the special bus or tram service, there will be an assistant who will take care of the passengers. People opting for the AC bus service will also be provided with light breakfast, lunch, tea and snacks.

Besides visiting the booking counters, one may also opt for online facility to book a seat, for which, one has to visit the website www.ctconlinebooking.in.

A large number of people from the city want to go to Jayrambati to watch the Kumari Puja there. Keeping this in mind, a special bus service has been introduced. The bus will leave Kalighat at 5 am on the day of Maha Asthami and will take people to Jayarambati via Kamarpukur.

Besides West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC), North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) and South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) have also made necessary arrangements for Puja Parikrama in buses in other parts of South and North Bengal.