Bengal CM orders safety review of Durga Puja pandals after stampede kills 19

The West Bengal government has established a specialized panel to conduct a comprehensive review of safety measures at Durga Puja pandals across the state, following the fatal stampede at Chorbagan that resulted in 19 deaths. The committee has been tasked with evaluating existing protocols and recommending enhanced safety standards for managing crowds during the festival celebrations.

The Chorbagan incident has prompted immediate concerns about crowd management and structural safety at temporary structures hosting millions of visitors during the nine-day festival. Authorities are examining factors that contributed to the stampede, including entry and exit points, capacity management, and emergency response procedures at pandal venues.

The high-level committee is expected to review successful safety models implemented at major events and develop guidelines tailored to the unique challenges of Durga Puja celebrations. Officials have indicated that recommendations will focus on infrastructure improvements, crowd control mechanisms, and coordination between administrative departments and pandal organizers.

The state government has assured that any necessary preventive measures will be implemented before upcoming festival seasons. Investigations into the Chorbagan stampede remain ongoing, with authorities examining whether structural inadequacies or operational failures contributed to the tragedy.