Cachar district administration plans safe and eco-friendly Durga Puja celebrations

Silchar:

Cachar district administration held a preparatory meeting with Durga Puja organisers, stressing on discipline, safety, and eco-friendly celebrations during the upcoming festival.Chairing the meeting at the DC’s office on Saturday, district commissioner Mridul Yadav, said no pandals should be erected on roads or in a way that damages public infrastructure.

He directed Puja committees to secure all necessary permissions, ensure first-aid facilities, and strictly adhere to fire safety protocols. “Immersion days will be dry days, and violations will not be tolerated. Committees must avoid single-use plastic and promote eco-friendly practices,” Yadav said.The meeting was attended by Silchar Municipal Corporation commissioner Srishti Singh, SP Numal Mahatta, ADC Antara Sen, senior police officers, and officials from multiple departments.Outlining the security roadmap, SP Mahatta asked committees to maintain registers of volunteers, deploy round-the-clock vigil at pandals, and coordinate closely with police. He instructed organisers to install CCTV cameras, set up separate entry and exit points, and keep fire-fighting measures ready. “Volunteers must wear ID cards and work with discipline. Donations cannot be forced as the state government has already announced Rs 10,000 assistance to 1,500 Puja committees in Cachar,” he added.

Municipal commissioner Singh asked organisers to earmark separate parking spaces to ease traffic congestion, while the PWD assured urgent pothole repairs. The administration also announced deployment of medical teams, fire brigades, and rescue squads at immersion ghats, with the SMC tasked with lighting, cleaning, and labour arrangements.The meeting concluded with DC Yadav calling for collective cooperation. “Durga Puja is not just a festival of faith but of community harmony. With everyone’s support, Cachar will witness a peaceful and grand celebration this year,” he said.