Hooghly, 03 November (H.S.): Chandannagar's renowned Jagadhatri Puja has been included in the West Bengal government's official list of state festivals. The announcement was made by State Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta and Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul during a special administrative review meeting held in Chandannagar on Tuesday.

With the festival approaching, the state government and district administration are making extensive preparations to ensure a grand, peaceful and well-organised celebration. The meeting, held at Alo Hub, focused on security arrangements, crowd management, visitor facilities and overall coordination for Jagadhatri Puja in the Chandannagar Assembly constituency.

Speaking after the meeting, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said the review covered four major festivals—Kali Puja, Kartik Puja, Jagadhatri Puja and Chhath Puja. He identified crowd management as the biggest challenge during Chandannagar's Jagadhatri Puja, which attracts lakhs of visitors from different districts and neighbouring states.

He cautioned that even minor lapses could lead to major accidents and referred to incidents during Durga Puja in Kolkata as a reminder of the importance of proper planning and safety measures.

Dasgupta said that Jagadhatri Puja had now been recognised as a state festival. He added that its successful organisation would enhance the prestige of Hooghly district and the state. Expressing satisfaction with the preparations made by the district administration, he said all important arrangements were being reviewed well in advance.

Regarding financial assistance, the Finance Minister assured that Chandannagar's Jagadhatri Puja committees would also receive government grants. However, the mechanism for providing the financial assistance has not yet been finalised.

He further stated that the administration would remain prepared to deal with emergencies arising from storms, heavy rainfall, power failures and other unforeseen situations. Apart from ensuring safety and smooth management, the government is also planning to promote Chandannagar's Jagadhatri Puja on a wider platform.

Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul said she had visited Chandannagar following the Chief Minister's instructions. She emphasised that the objective was to showcase the city's historic Jagadhatri Puja to a wider national and international audience.

Special attention is being given to the Ganga river ghats. Officials are examining water levels during high and low tides to ensure the safety and convenience of visitors. Arrangements are also being planned for drinking water, bio-toilets, service camps, control rooms and special facilities to help senior citizens visit the puja pandals.

The beautification of Chandannagar is also part of the preparations. Footpaths will be decorated with traditional alpana designs, French colonial areas will be illuminated and beautified, and the Ganga riverfront will receive special decorative treatment.

Minister Paul said the arrangements would be documented so that the experience could help improve the organisation of the festival in future years. She also indicated that the Chief Minister would visit Chandannagar during the celebrations. A special programme on the lines of the Durga Puja event organised at Eden Gardens is also being planned.

Chandannagar MLA Dipanjan Guha said he had discussed visitor facilities with the state's Tourism Minister. River cruise services are being considered for visitors arriving from outside the city, while launch services are planned for young visitors. Special arrangements will also be made to help elderly people and those living alone, particularly whose family members reside elsewhere, enjoy the festivities.

The administrative review meeting was attended by Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul, Minister of State Umesh Rai and Chandannagar MLA Dipanjan Guha. Senior officials present included Information and Cultural Affairs Secretary Soumitra Mohan, District Magistrate Khurshid Ali Qadri, Police Commissioner Sunil Yadav and Hooghly Rural Superintendent of Police Kumar Bhushan Singh, along with other senior officials of the district administration and police department.

After the meeting, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta visited several idol immersion ghats and inspected a number of puja pandals in Chandannagar.

With official state festival recognition, proposed financial assistance, improved public facilities and large-scale beautification plans, the government aims to give Chandannagar's historic Jagadhatri Puja greater visibility and make the celebration safer and

more attractive for visitors.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey