Calcutta HC: Durga Puja pandals to be no-entry zones for visitors

Fearing a spike in Covid cases in West Bengal owing to crowding during Durga Puja, the Calcutta High Court on Monday said the pandals would be no-entry zones for visitors. The court ruled revelers would not be allowed within a five-metre distance for small pandals and 10 metre for big pandals while directing organisers to erect barricades at their entrance. Only organisers or puja committee members would be allowed inside the pandals, the court said as it limited the number to 25 for big pandals and 15 for the smaller ones. The HC also asked each puja committee to submit a blueprint on crowd management. Considering the pandemic situation, several pandal committees have made arrangements for virtual ‘darshan’ this time.