Kolkata, 2 October (H.S.):

Kolkata witnessed an overwhelming surge of devotees and visitors on Navami night as Durga Puja celebrations reached their peak. With Vijaya Dashami marking the beginning of idol immersion, Wednesday night turned out to be the last major opportunity for pandal-hopping, drawing record-breaking crowds across the city.

For many, the evening was their final chance to catch a glimpse of the city’s iconic pandals. Those who had missed Saptami and Ashtami outings took to the streets in huge numbers, while others who had been unable to join the festivities earlier made up for lost time. With more than 3,000 large-scale pandals spread across the metropolis, devotees tried to cover as many as possible before the festival’s conclusion.

Public transport networks bore the brunt of the rush. At Howrah and Sealdah stations, thousands of commuters turned to state-run and private buses, many forced to travel hanging from the doors as seats and aisles filled to capacity. Metro services too operated under intense pressure; entry and exit gates were kept fully open, and coupon ticketing facilitated continuous passenger flow. From Dum Dum to Kavi Subhash, trains saw more people boarding than alighting at every stop.

Suburban trains heading to and from the industrial belts adjoining the city also remained packed from morning until late night. The massive influx began around 9 a.m. and continued well past midnight.

Despite Kolkata Police deploying additional personnel and implementing strict traffic and crowd-control measures, the unprecedented turnout stretched resources thin. Security and traffic units were seen working tirelessly to keep movement smooth and prevent untoward incidents amid the sea of devotees.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh