Kolkata stampede: Fresh Durga Puja safety rules mandate raincoats, ambulances and no selfies

Fresh crowd-management guidelines have been issued for Durga Puja pandals across Kolkata following a stampede at Chor Bagan in north Kolkata that killed 19 people and injured 25 on Saturday. The Forum for Durgotsab, an umbrella organisation representing around 400 puja committees, and the police have called for tighter safety arrangements to prevent another tragedy.

The measures include keeping at least 10 raincoats and walkie-talkies at every pandal, making regular public announcements and discouraging visitors from taking selfies or recording videos inside the venues. Organisers have also been asked to ensure that at least one ambulance is available in every zone to respond to emergencies.

Saswata Basu, a member of the Forum for Durgotsab, said the guidelines were drawn up after a meeting with prominent puja organisers on Sunday to improve crowd management.

Police review security at major pandals

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held a meeting with senior police officers and bureaucrats on Sunday to review the arrangements following the stampede. He said the administration would restrict crowds wherever necessary and ruled out separate queues for VIPs.

“If needed, crowds will be restricted. There will be no separate queues for VIPs. We will do whatever it takes,” Adhikari said.

A committee comprising officers from the fire department and police has been formed to reassess security arrangements at prominent Kolkata pujas. The team will inspect the venues and make on-the-spot recommendations on any changes or corrections needed in the existing safety measures.

Officers-in-charge and assistant commissioners of police have also been directed to visit prominent pandals attracting large crowds. They have been instructed to ensure that all entry and exit routes remain clear of obstructions.

A police officer said the authorities were reviewing crowd movement and emergency arrangements at major venues in the wake of the tragedy.

Rain and overcrowding contributed to Chor Bagan stampede

The stampede occurred on Saptami, the seventh day of Durga Puja, at the popular Chor Bagan pandal in congested north Kolkata. A sudden surge in visitors coincided with heavy rain, leaving the streets slippery as people jostled through a narrow bylane.

Preliminary findings suggest that the pandal was already witnessing heavy footfall on Saturday evening when the rain began. People inside reportedly refused to leave because of the downpour, while more visitors attempted to enter through both the entrance and exit, intensifying the congestion.

According to a police officer, the organisers then announced that the pandal could collapse and urged visitors to leave. Volunteers also began blowing whistles.

The announcement and whistles apparently triggered panic among the crowd, contributing to the stampede. Investigators are examining the sequence of events and the crowd-management arrangements in place at the venue.

Police told not to abandon posts during rain

The incident has also raised questions about the deployment of police personnel and the handling of the emergency. Police officers noted that pandal-hoppers often move slowly while taking selfies and recording videos of decorations and idols, causing crowds to build up.

There were allegations that some police personnel left their posts to avoid getting drenched when the rain started. Some people also claimed that they had to book app-based cabs to transport victims to hospital.

An official said police personnel on duty had since been instructed not to leave their posts even during rainfall. They must remain in position and continue managing crowds regardless of the weather.

The police have also issued specific instructions for wet-weather conditions. Visitors should not be allowed to enter pandals merely to take shelter from the rain, while the interiors must remain adequately lit. VIP vehicles are not to be permitted near the pandals, and police will monitor announcements made by organisers over public-address systems.

Investigation examines safety lapses

The Chor Bagan stampede has prompted a wider review of crowd-control measures at Kolkata’s prominent Durga Puja venues. The police and fire department committee will assess whether existing arrangements need to be altered, with particular attention to unobstructed entry and exit routes, emergency response facilities and coordination between organisers and law enforcement personnel.

Police have also raised concerns about the adequacy of crowd management at the Chor Bagan venue. Subsequent reporting said seven people had been arrested in connection with the incident as investigators examined alleged safety lapses and the announcements made before the stampede.

The new guidelines are intended to improve preparedness at crowded pandals, particularly during sudden rainfall, when visitors may rush towards covered spaces and place additional pressure on narrow entrances and exits. Authorities have stressed that organisers and police personnel must remain alert throughout the celebrations and ensure that emergency routes remain accessible.