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News18 spoke exclusively with Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma about the city’s arrangements and security measures for the festival
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma checks the arrangements. (News18)
Kolkata is busy in last-minute preparations for the Durga Puja, which begins week. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will begin inaugurating pandals from Saturday.
Amid the festive hustle and bustle, News18 spoke exclusively with Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma about the city’s arrangements and security measures for the festival. He also shared details about a new initiative — the ‘Pujo Bandhu App’ — designed to assist pandal hoppers in various ways.
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Edited excerpts:
What are the preparations being done for Durga Puja festivities?
On behalf of Kolkata Police, I extend warm wishes for a very happy Durga Puja to everyone. This is the biggest festival in Bengal and Kolkata, drawing huge numbers of people from across the world.
For the past six months, we have been holding meetings with puja organizers and coordinating with them. Our Joint CP Headquarters has visited the pandals, and now I am visiting different pandals to review the final preparations. We are hopeful that, as always, the puja will be celebrated peacefully.
This festival attracts global attention, and to ensure everything runs smoothly, we have conducted coordination meetings with the PWD, KMC, CESC, and other agencies. Senior officers have also made visits to important sites.
What are the priority areas, and how has security been strengthened?
Our top priority is public safety. Along with that, we are focusing on smooth traffic management throughout the day and night. We are also preparing for any kind of emergency. Fire safety is particularly important, and several meetings have been held on this aspect. We are now in the final stages of preparation.
Anything else included in the plan?
Yes, we are also concerned about cyber security. Therefore, we have requested all puja pandals to display special messages to raise awareness among visitors.
Will any helpline be launched?
This year’s special feature will be the ‘Pujo Bandhu App’. Through the app, pandal hoppers can access the location of pandals, find directions to the entry gates, and get other important information. Helpline numbers will also be integrated. The app will be launched before the pujas and is designed to make the experience more convenient for the public.
About the Author
Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East…Read More
Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East… Read More
September 19, 2025, 17:15 IST
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