Silchar Municipal Board prepares for eco-friendly and safe Durga Puja celebrations

Way2barak, September 30 : In preparation for the upcoming Durga Puja festivities, the Silchar Municipal Board (SMB) convened a crucial meeting to ensure smooth, safe, and eco-friendly celebrations across the city. Held at the SMB Conference Hall, here on Monday, the meeting was chaired by Silchar MP Parimal Suklabaidya, with Executive Officer & Additional District Commissioner Van Lal Limpuia Nampui and Assisting Officer & Executive Magistrate, SMB, Navattam Sharma in attendance, along with prominent citizens and officials from various departments.

MP Parimal Suklabaidya stressed the need for maintaining peace and adherence to the rules during the celebrations. “Durga Puja is a time of joy and cultural pride, but it is essential to ensure responsible celebrations that comply with the guidelines. It is the collective duty of the organizers and the community to maintain safety and harmony,” he said.

Key directives were laid out for all Durga Puja committees, making them fully accountable for any breaches of regulations. The committees were instructed to secure necessary permissions from authorities like PWD Roads, PWD NH, SMB, Traffic Police, and local schools for constructing pandals and gates on public land. In addition, the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) will certify temporary electric connections to ensure compliance with safety standards, and the power provider was requested to ensure uninterrupted supply during the festival.

ADC & Executive officer, SMB, Van Lal Limpuia Nampui highlighted the priority of public safety this year, particularly regarding women and children. He emphasized the need for Puja committees to deploy volunteers, with a specific focus on female volunteers for added security. These volunteers must wear ID cards issued by the Puja Committee and countersigned by the police. To further enhance safety, every pandal must be equipped with first-aid boxes and life-saving equipment.

In line with environmental concerns, the SMB has mandated the display of “Zero Use of Plastic” banners at every pandal, with strict prohibitions on single-use plastics to promote a cleaner, greener celebration. Additionally, each Puja committee was directed to install dustbins near pandals and assign at least 10 laborers to assist during the immersion ceremony at Sadarghat.

Further measures include the installation of backup generators, sand-filled buckets, and fire extinguishers at all pandals to handle potential emergencies. The immersion ceremonies will take place on October 13 and 14, with the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department ensuring drinking water supply twice daily throughout the celebrations. The PWD Roads department was instructed to repair potholes before Durga Puja, and halogen lights will be installed in front of all government buildings for better illumination.

In an innovative move to curb intoxication during the festival, police will use breath analyzers to prevent alcohol abuse among youth.

Prominent voices, including Taimur Raja Chaudhary, Proprietor of Dainik Samyoik Prasanga; Mridul Majumder, Proprietor of South City Hospital; Partha Chakraborty of the Indian National Congress; and Rajesh Das of the BJP, contributed suggestions on improving Durga Puja management. Their insights were well received, enhancing the overall planning process.

The meeting concluded with a collective pledge from all departments and stakeholders to work in unison, ensuring that Durga Puja in Silchar is celebrated peacefully, responsibly, and with a strong sense of community.