Santosh Mitra Square in central Calcutta will not allow visitors on its Durga Puja premises except people living in the neighbourhood and carrying photo identity cards, the organisers announced on Wednesday.
The move is aimed at avoiding a large gathering and reducing the chances of the spread of the coronavirus.
“The people of the locality will need to carry their photo identity cards to enter the premises,”
Sajal Ghosh, the general secretary of the puja committee, said.
The Santosh Mitra Square Sarbojanin Durgotsav in Lebutala Park is in its 85th year.
Thousands of people queue up for hours every year to get a glimpse of the idol.
The proximity to Sealdah station gives many an easy access to the puja.
“It was a difficult and heart-breaking decision. But we were left with no other option. We do not want to become a possible reason for causing a spike in the infection,” Ghosh said.
People of the area are welcome. “Durga Puja is a community festival. We cannot imagine the celebration without the involvement of the people of the area… they participate in all cultural and social activities of the club throughout the year,” another puja committee member said.
The committee has arranged to live-stream the puja rituals and other cultural events on their YouTube channel and Facebook page.
“This year, we are requesting people not to come this way… instead catch up with us on our Facebook page and Youtube channel. Ebar-er pujo hetey noy, Net-ey dekhun (don’t walk this Puja, catch us on the Net),” Ghosh said.
Although the decision to keep away people may discourage corporate sponsors, Ghosh and fellow organisers have said none of the grandeur in lighting or pandal has been curtailed.
The structure of the pandal has been altered according to government instructions but there has been no change to the height and design of the idol, according to organisers.
“We had hoped for the Covid numbers to drop before Durga Puja. We never imagined so many people would step out to shop. Even if our decision costs us financially, it is any day better to save lives than money,” Ghosh said.
Police said the decision would have an impact on the traffic plan, which would be altered accordingly. “We will have to hold a separate meeting with the organisers to fine-tune crowd management details,” an officer with the central division said.