The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered immediate safety inspections at Durga Puja pandals across the state after a stampede at a prominent pandal in North Kolkata killed 19 people and left 25 injured. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed police commissioners, district magistrates and superintendents of police to verify arrangements at the temporary festival venues, according to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
The inspections will cover fire safety systems, entry and exit points, emergency exits and electrical installations. The chief minister has also instructed officials to remain in the field while the checks are conducted, the CMO said on Sunday.
The directive follows the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata, where a surge of devotees led to the deaths and injuries. The incident has placed renewed attention on how temporary religious and cultural gatherings manage large crowds, emergency movement and access for rescue services.
In Uttar Pradesh, police commissioners, district magistrates and superintendents of police have been asked to inspect the pandals in their respective jurisdictions. District magistrates and superintendents of police must specifically examine the entry and exit arrangements and ensure that adequate emergency exits are available, according to the CMO’s statement.
Officials have also been told to verify electrical installations at the venues. Temporary pandals commonly involve electrical wiring, lighting, decorative structures and concentrated visitor movement, making fire prevention and unobstructed evacuation routes key parts of the inspections ordered by the state government.
The response in Kolkata has included arrests and a state-level inquiry. Kolkata Police arrested seven people in connection with the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity Durga Puja pandal. The West Bengal government has constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate the incident. State cabinet minister Umesh Rai described the incident as a case of mismanagement.
The West Bengal government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh and a government job for the next of kin of each person who died. Each injured person will receive Rs 5 lakh in financial assistance, according to the report.
Kolkata Police has also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in sensitive parts of the city for three days from October 18 to October 20. The orders are intended to maintain law and order and prevent further untoward incidents.
The Uttar Pradesh inspections are focused on identifying safety gaps at pandals while festival activity continues. The CMO’s instructions place responsibility on senior district and police officials to verify the arrangements on the ground and ensure that emergency access, fire precautions, electrical safety and crowd movement are addressed at the venues.
