West Bengal’s Fire Department has begun a multi-stage inspection drive for Durga Puja pandals, with officials checking fire-safety arrangements during construction, before completion and ahead of the festival. The department has also cancelled leave for its personnel until the Puja season ends and is expanding emergency-response capacity across the state.
The measures were announced after a coordination meeting involving the Fire Department and state and district administration officials at the Fire and Emergency Services office in New Town Action Area 1. Fire Services Minister of State Kaushik Chowdhury said inspections would begin immediately and would continue at different stages of pandal construction.
The first inspection will take place when the bamboo framework is being prepared. Further checks will follow as the structure and other works progress, before a final inspection is conducted. Fire officials will examine entry and exit arrangements, the availability of fire extinguishers and the overall safety of routes used by visitors and emergency personnel.
Puja organisers will also receive training on responding to fires and other emergencies. The department plans to prepare a list of safety measures and distribute fire-safety guidelines to major Puja committees. Organisers will be required to keep an adequate number of fire extinguishers at each pandal and appoint volunteers who can support fire-safety measures in addition to managing crowds.
The department is increasing the number of fire-service motorcycles available for emergencies from 250 to 350. The motorcycles are intended to help personnel reach narrow roads and congested areas more quickly, where larger fire engines may face difficulty during peak visitor hours.
The minister said around 60,000 Puja celebrations are expected across West Bengal this year. To support the festival response, 109 temporary fire stations will be established, compared with 99 last year. The state currently has 175 permanent fire stations. The temporary facilities will be equipped with trained personnel, water tenders, motorcycle teams and other firefighting equipment, according to the department.
The number of temporary fire kiosks will also be increased to 50, twice last year’s level, for the days around the festival. These kiosks will conduct continuous public-awareness campaigns aimed at preventing fires and improving emergency preparedness at crowded venues.
The state government is also expected to recruit 2,500 fire personnel and 350 drivers before and after the festival, the minister said. The department is additionally arranging modern equipment, new uniforms, footwear and other supplies for fire-service workers.
Puja committees have been asked to apply online for fire-service approval. The same portal allows applications for fire, police and electricity-related permissions, and will remain open around the clock, according to the minister. The department’s inspections and temporary deployments will continue through the Puja season.
