Heavy crowds throng Kolkata Durga pandals on Mahanavami as Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari deploys 9 IPS officers Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has assigned 9 experienced IPS officers to oversee security and crowd management across Kolkata's Durga pandals following massive Mahanavami turnouts. Kolkata is witnessing a massive surge of devotees at various Durga pandals on the auspicious occasion of Mahanavami. Security measures have been significantly stepped up across all celebration sites in the wake of the recent incident at the Chorbagan pandal. Authorities have overhauled crowd management protocols to ensure public safety remains the topmost priority during the festivities. Deployment of Nine Senior IPS Officers To prevent any recurrence of Saturday's untoward incident, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has requisitioned nine IPS officers from different departments, entrusting them directly with pandal security and crowd control. These experienced officers have previously managed security operations during Kolkata Durga Puja celebrations, bringing vital administrative expertise to the ground. Political Leaders Welcome the Administrative Move Democratic Trinamool Congress MLA and former Kolkata mayor Firhad Hakim has publicly welcomed the state government's decisive action, stating that such robust arrangements are essential to ensure accidents like the one at Chorbagan never happen again. Overhauling Entry Protocols and Eliminating VIP Privilege Preliminary investigations into Saturday's stampede revealed a glaring lack of structured crowd management planning. In response, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has abolished the VIP entry system across all Durga pandals. Now, both ordinary citizens and dignitaries must use the exact same entrance gates to offer their prayers and catch a glimpse of the deity. These proactive steps taken in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy highlight the government's renewed commitment to crowd safety. What this means for you The overhaul of security and crowd management protocols directly impacts everyone visiting celebration venues during the festive season. • In West Bengal: The complete abolition of the VIP entry system means that all visitors, regardless of status, must now use the exact same entry gates and queues. • In Kolkata: The deployment of 9 senior IPS officers significantly strengthens on-ground monitoring, reducing the risk of stampedes following the recent Chorbagan incident. • For Devotees: Visitors must expect tighter security screening and potentially longer wait times while queuing up, which directly enhances their personal safety. • For Event Organizers: Organizers are now required to maintain strict adherence to official crowd control directives and safety guidelines issued by the state administration. • Public Safety: Enhanced police presence across major community pandals ensures a more secure environment for families, women, and children enjoying the festivities. Why this happened The sudden overhaul of security protocols and the deployment of senior police officials stem directly from investigative findings following a recent tragedy. • The Chorbagan Incident: A stampede occurred on Saturday at the Chorbagan pandal, prompting immediate panic and exposing critical vulnerabilities in site safety. • Lack of Planning: Preliminary investigations into the weekend accident revealed that there was no structured crowd management plan in place at the venue. • Unequal Access: The existence of separate VIP entry systems created severe bottlenecks and added to the crushing pressure among general visitors. • Proactive Intervention: Drawing urgent lessons from the accident, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari intervened directly to deploy seasoned leadership on the ground. Questions & Answers 1. Why has security been increased at Kolkata pandals on Mahanavami? Security was increased following an accident at the Chorbagan pandal on Saturday. 2. Who has been assigned to oversee pandal security and crowd management? Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has deployed 9 IPS officers from different departments. 3. Is the VIP entry system still active in Durga pandals? No, the VIP entry system in Durga pandals has been completely abolished. 4. How are ordinary citizens and dignitaries entering the pandals now? Both ordinary people and dignitaries are entering through the exact same single gate to offer prayers. 5. Who welcomed the state government's decision regarding security? Former Kolkata mayor and Democratic Trinamool Congress MLA Firhad Hakim welcomed the decision. https://trendkia.com/en/west-bengal/kolkata-ke-durga-pndalon-men-mahanavami-para-umari-bhari-bhira-chief-minister-suvendu-adhikari-ne-9-ips-aphasaron-ko-kamana-saunpi-49506 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.