📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Subhrajyoti07
Religion
West Bengal Government Approves 12,400 New Durga Puja Pandals, Says CM
✍️ Daily Pioneer
🗓 14 Oct 2026, 03:31 AM
👁 10
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the state government has cleared 12,400 new Durga Puja pandals for the upcoming festive season.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee disclosed in a press briefing that the West Bengal administration has given formal approval to 12,400 new Durga Puja pandals slated for this year's celebrations. The decision, announced on behalf of the state’s cultural department, marks the largest single‑year expansion of puja venues in recent memory.
The government’s clearance follows a verification process that examined each proposed pandal for compliance with safety norms, crowd‑management plans and adherence to the guidelines issued by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board. Organisers were required to submit detailed layouts, fire‑safety certificates and waste‑management strategies before receiving the nod.
State officials anticipate that the expanded roster of pandals will boost local economies, especially in smaller towns and suburban areas where the festival drives significant tourism and small‑business activity. The administration also pledged to deploy additional police personnel and medical teams to ensure public safety during the peak days of the festivities.
By endorsing these 12,400 pandals, the government aims to preserve the cultural vibrancy of Durga Puja while balancing the logistical challenges of a massive, city‑wide celebration. Continuous monitoring will be carried out throughout the festival period to address any compliance issues promptly.
The government’s clearance follows a verification process that examined each proposed pandal for compliance with safety norms, crowd‑management plans and adherence to the guidelines issued by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board. Organisers were required to submit detailed layouts, fire‑safety certificates and waste‑management strategies before receiving the nod.
State officials anticipate that the expanded roster of pandals will boost local economies, especially in smaller towns and suburban areas where the festival drives significant tourism and small‑business activity. The administration also pledged to deploy additional police personnel and medical teams to ensure public safety during the peak days of the festivities.
By endorsing these 12,400 pandals, the government aims to preserve the cultural vibrancy of Durga Puja while balancing the logistical challenges of a massive, city‑wide celebration. Continuous monitoring will be carried out throughout the festival period to address any compliance issues promptly.