Bengal Fire Services Department issues notices to three Kolkata Durga Puja committees over safety lapses

Bengal Fire Services Department issues notices to three Kolkata Durga Puja committees over safety lapses left People at the Chetla Agrani Durga Puja pandal, themed 'Viswaroope Viswaroopini', on 'Maha Saptami' during Navaratri, in Kolkata, on October 17, 2026. PTI PTI - Kolkata: People at the Chetla Agrani Durga Puja pandal, themed 'Viswaroope Viswaroopini', on 'Maha Saptami' during Navaratri, in Kolkata, Saturday, Oct.

17, 2026. (PTI Photo)(PTI10_17_2026_000251B) During inspections, officials also stressed the need for adequate lighting and ventilation inside pandals to prevent dark spots, ensure visibility and facilitate crowd management Kolkata The West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Department has issued notices to three prominent Durga Puja committees in south Kolkata over alleged deficiencies in fire safety arrangements, following the Chorbagan pandal stampede that claimed 19 lives, officials said on Monday (October 19, 2026).

17 dead after stampede breaks out at Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal storyline 1 The notices were issued to Chetla Agrani, Ballygunge Cultural Association and Tridhara Sammilani after a high-level fire services team inspected major pandals and found shortcomings in safety arrangements, they said. Chorbagan pandal stampede: Mismanagement, confusing announcements led to mishap, say Kolkata Police Chorbagan pandal stampede: Mismanagement, confusing announcements led to mishap, say Kolkata Police Circumstantial evidence, along with accounts from locals and eyewitnesses, suggests that inadequate crowd control contributed to the incident at the pandal on October 17 evening, he said Chorbagan pandal stampede: Mismanagement, confusing announcements led to mishap, say Kolkata Police storyline 1 The fire services authorities on Sunday (October 18, 2026) directed the immediate removal of unauthorised temporary commercial structures and hazardous stalls set up near the pandals, citing serious fire safety concerns, particularly the presence of LPG cylinders near structures made of highly inflammable materials.

During inspections, officials also stressed the need for adequate lighting and ventilation inside pandals to prevent dark spots, ensure visibility and facilitate crowd management. The authorities also called for installation of adequate fans and air-conditioning units inside pandals to improve ventilation and prevent overcrowding and suffocating conditions. Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede: Eyewitnesses flag crowd management lapses, police initiates probe Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede: Eyewitnesses flag crowd management lapses, police initiates probe Locals also claimed that police deployment at the pandal was inadequate, alleging that personnel were mainly stationed near the VIP entrance Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede: Eyewitnesses flag crowd management lapses, police initiates probe storyline 1 Debashis Kumar, senior functionary of Tridhara Sammilani told PTI Monday (October 19, 2026), "We got the NOC from the Department before going ahead with the inauguration." "No highly inflammable material was used and there was proper lighting from the entrance and along the pathway.

We told the team that all fire safety measures concerning crowd control are being used and sent them a compliance report," he said. He added that the movement and management of thousands of visitors were being coordinated with Kolkata Police, civil defence authorities and the civic body. Ballygunge Cultural Association was asked to improve lighting inside its pandal and ensure that commercial activities did not obstruct entry and exit routes, the official said.

A senior functionary of the puja committee said, "We are implementing all standard procedures with regard to safety precautions and facilitating the smooth passage of thousands of visitors. We have improved lighting and ensured that the entry of revellers is not blocked or hindered on the way to the pandal, starting from the side of Rasbehari Avenue and Triangular Park." No official of Chetla Agrani could be contacted for comment.

The inspections followed a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday (October 17, 2026), where 19 people were killed and several others injured, prompting the state government to intensify scrutiny of crowd management and safety arrangements at major puja venues.