Silchar gears up for Durga Puja festival, SMC puts traffic, civic amenities and safety in focus

way2barak, October 13: –With Durga Puja approaching the Silchar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has stepped up preparations to ensure the smooth and peaceful celebration of the festival, placing particular emphasis on traffic management, uninterrupted power and water supply, road repairs, sanitation, noise pollution control and the safe immersion of idols.

A preparatory meeting was held at the conference hall of the Silchar Municipal Corporation on Tuesday under the chairmanship of SMC Executive Officer Abhijit Bey, AUAS. The meeting was attended by Udharbond MLA Rajdeep Goala, Assistant Commissioner Masi Topno, ACS, proprietor cum editor Taimur Raja Choudhury, Mridul Majumder, APDCL Director Nitya Bhushan Dey, leading citizens Babul Hore and Dulal Mitra along with officials from various concerned departments and representatives of other sections of society.

At the outset, the Executive Officer Abhijit Bey welcomed the participants and outlined the importance of coordinated preparations for the festival which draws large gatherings of devotees and visitors across Silchar. He called upon the Puja committees and the concerned departments to work in close coordination to ensure that the celebrations remain orderly, environmentally friendly and convenient for the public.

In the meeting special emphasis was laid on loudspeakers , especially playing of D.J System, members present in the meeting also raised concerns over the usage of D.J System during the procession of idols during immersion days.

 The Executive Officer also urged Puja committees to refrain from using single use plastic and stressed the need to prevent the construction of pandals on roads which often obstructs vehicular movement and causes inconvenience to commuters. It was made clear that permission would not be issued for roadside pandals.

The authorities also discussed the need to improve sanitation ahead of the festivities. Ward wise squads comprising labourers and supervisory officials have been formed to facilitate the timely cleaning of drains and the removal of roadside garbage. The SMC’s Utility Branch has been directed to undertake a comprehensive drive to repair or replace faulty streetlights across the city before the festival. The Municipal Inspector has also been asked to ensure proper cleaning and the spraying of disinfectants around Puja pandals.

While addressing the meeting, Udharbond MLA Rajdeep Goala highlighted several civic concerns requiring immediate attention, including traffic congestion, power interruptions, water supply and the cleaning of drains in the silchar municipal areas.He also called upon the concerned departments to take prompt measures to address these issues and ensure adequate street lighting and sufficient water supply throughout the festive period.

The MLA also cautioned that any person or Puja committee responsible for digging holes in roads would be held accountable for the resulting damage. He urged the APDCL authorities to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the festival and extended their support for the successful completion of the immersion process.

During the discussion, leading citizen and advocate Dulal Mitra stressed the need to create public awareness against the use of DJ systems and excessive noise during the celebrations. He proposed recognising Puja committees that maintain discipline, cleanliness and environmental standards. He also suggested organising a cultural programme after the immersion ceremonies along with the distribution of awards to the best performing Puja committees for their efforts in maintaining cleanliness and controlling noise and environmental pollution.

Talking at the event leading citizen of Silchar, Mridul Majumder drew attention to traffic related concerns and suggested that the road near Sashan Ghat could be considered as an alternative route to ease congestion. He also stressed the need for adequate street lighting. He further raised the issue of holes being dug on the main road at Rangirkhari and pointed to the problems caused by the unrestricted movement of cattle on city roads.

APDCL Director Nitya Bhushan Dey expressed concern over delays in the immersion process particularly involving idols from the Malugram area and stressed the need for deployment of adequate police personnel at Dak Bungalow tripoint for better coordination of the movement of trucks carrying idols to ensure that the proceedings were completed within the stipulated period.

Taimur Raja Choudhury called for the preparation of the meeting minutes in Bengali and appealed to citizens to celebrate the festival in a spirit of brotherhood, harmony and integrity. He also raised serious concern over the delay of repair of PWD roads in Malugram, Ghaniala area.

Assistant Commissioner,Cachar Masi Topno, ACS said that controlling DJ systems and noise pollution would receive priority attention. He also informed the meeting that data covering the last five years had been collected from the Health Department and would be reviewed to assess relevant issues and facilitate appropriate action.

The meeting also discussed arrangements for the immersion of Goddess Durga’s idols, scheduled for October 21 and 22. In accordance with the decision taken at the meeting held at the Office of the District Commissioner, Cachar, the immersion process is to be completed within two days.

As part of the arrangements, the Forest Department, Cachar will provide five truckloads each of sand and gravel, crusher dust and red soil free of cost at the Sadarghat immersion ghat. The Executive Engineer of the Inland Water Transport Department will arrange a motorboat for the immersion process and a launch for rescue operations, while the Assistant Executive Engineer of SMC will ensure their proper placement and installation before the ceremony.

The APDCL authorities have been asked to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the festival and extend the necessary support for the immersion arrangements. The Superintendent of Police, Cachar has been requested to deploy police personnel at the immersion ghat to prevent untoward incidents while the Circle Officer, Sadar Circle will maintain close vigil to ensure law and order. The Magistracy Branch will arrange for the deployment of magistrates during the immersion proceedings.

The District Disaster Management Authority, Cachar will coordinate the deployment of NDRF and SDRF teams equipped with rescue boats at Sadarghat. The Joint Director of Health Services will arrange a medical team on a roster basis for the two day immersion period. The Traffic In-charge has been directed to ensure effective traffic management and deploy volunteers at vulnerable points to minimise congestion during the Puja days.

The Executive Engineer of PWD/NHIDCL has been asked to ensure the repair of damaged roads and potholes before the festival, while the Executive Engineer of PHE/AMRUT/AUWS&SB will ensure adequate water supply throughout the celebrations. Puja committees have also been asked to arrange at least 10 labourers each to assist in the immersion of idols.

The meeting further stressed the need for proper waste management at Puja pandals with dustbins to be placed at suitable locations and waste segregated appropriately, accompanied by clear signage. The authorities and Puja committees were urged to work together to maintain cleanliness, minimise environmental and noise pollution, and ensure the safe and timely completion of the immersion ceremonies.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks from the chair with the concerned departments and Puja committees expected to coordinate closely to ensure that Durga Puja 2026 is celebrated peacefully and without avoidable inconvenience to residents and visitors.

This is stated in a press release issued by the Regional Office of Information & Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone, Silchar, Assam.