Durga Puja sees surge in pandal hoppers

Though crowds thronged the pandals since Chaturthi, the fourth day of Navratri, organisers and police have noticed a significant surge in the crowd on Tuesday, the official beginning of Durga Puja.

Tuesday is Shasthi, according to Hindu almanac and the sixth day of Navratri.

“What we are seeing (now) is a complete shift from the traditional pattern,” said Sujit Bose, Trinamool Congress MLA and chief patron of one of East Kolkata’s big-ticket Durga Pujas, Sreebhumi Sporting Club.

“Earlier we knew that crowds will gather from Saptami, as most of the offices and business establishments are open till Shasthi. This year, crowds started gathering since Tritiya (third day of the Navratri) and we had to unveil our idols before time.”

Traditional community Pujas in north and south Kolkata were chock-a-block since Tuesday afternoon and people were seen braving the blazing sun and high humid conditions to throng the pandals.

Metro to tackle rush

“From Saptami to Navami, the Metro Railway will run special night-long services to cater to the rush of pandal hoppers,” a spokesperson of the metro services said. “We will have 224 services every day between 1.40 pm and 4 am from September 27 to 29.”

On Vijaya Dashami (September 30), Metro services will be available from 1.40 pm to 10 pm, the spokesman added.

He said additional security personnel have been posted at all stations with special focus on those like Shyambazar, Sovabazar-Sutanuti, Kalighat, Rabindra Sarobar, Jatin Das Park and Tollygunj where revellers disembark to visit the city’s most famous Pujas.