KMC to ensure trouble-free pandal hopping for Kolkatans

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), in collaboration with all stakeholders, will take necessary measures to ensure that the pandal hoppers in the city have a hassle-free experience during Durga Puja.

A coordination meeting with all stakeholders like the state Fire department, Kolkata Police, CESC, Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) etc. was held at the KMC headquarters on Friday. Everything ranging from road, lighting, sewerage, drainage and other measures for safety and security will be in place from October 7, a week ahead of the Pujas.

"Durga Puja is celebrated with pomp and grandeur throughout the state and Kolkata is no exception. The meeting was held to mark the areas where we need repair work so that people face no difficulty during pandal hopping," said member, mayor-in-council (Parks & Gardens) Debasish Kumar.

The traffic wing of Kolkata Police and the roads section of KMC tallied a list of roads that have been damaged due to monsoon and instructions were given to the concerned agencies for taking up repair work. "We periodically take up road repair. So, there is hardly any place that needs total overhaul of road space. Some potholes have developed due to rain and they will be mended," a senior KMC official said.

The list of places which are in need of some special lighting arrangements and repair work ahead of the Pujas, was also finalised in the meeting.

"The city needs to be thoroughly illuminated and we are taking all possible steps," a senior official of the Lighting department said.

The Drainage and Sewerage department will also undertake work to ensure that there is no waterlogging even if there is rain.