West Bengal CM orders safety review after Kolkata Durga Puja stampede kills 19

A stampede at the Chor Bagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata claimed 19 lives on Saturday, prompting an immediate response from the state administration. Chief Minister Adhikari announced on Sunday a series of safety measures aimed at preventing similar incidents during the ongoing festival celebrations across West Bengal.

The announced steps include enhanced crowd management protocols at major pandals, deployment of additional security personnel, and revised entry-exit procedures designed to prevent bottlenecks during peak visiting hours. Officials said the measures would be implemented across all major Durga Puja venues in the state, with particular focus on high-footfall pandals in urban areas.

The incident has become a flashpoint in state politics, with opposition parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), targeting the ruling government over its handling of public safety at the popular festival. Critics have questioned crowd management practices and the adequacy of safety measures in place at major pandals, raising concerns about devotee safety during the festival season.

State authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stampede. Officials have indicated that preliminary findings will inform both immediate safety interventions and longer-term improvements to crowd management at religious gatherings and public events across West Bengal.