Flyover projects threaten to cut down no. of pandal hoppers during Puja

Ranchi: Road blockades and traffic congestions arising out of the ongoing construction of Kantatoli flyover, Ratu Road flyover and the elevated road project between Siromtoli Chowk and Rajender Chowk could dampen the Durga Puja spirit this year by limiting the footfall of devotees across several pandals in Ranchi, organizing committees here have said. With less than a month left for Durga Puja festivities, organizing committees have stepped up the commissioning of their respective pandals. Sanjay Kumar Minocha, an office bearer of the Bangari Durga Puja Samiti in Kokar, said, “With Rajender Chowk being partially closed due to construction work, the incoming traffic from Hatia towards Hinoo, Doranda, Main Road, Lalpur and Kokar would get stuck in long traffic congestions.”“Likewise, congestions could also take place in Ratu Road Chowk if pandal hoppers decide to take the Harmu Bypass road to enter the city for pandal hopping. Pandal hoppers will not be able to park their vehicles since there are no service roads in Ratu Road flyover or Rajender Chowk elevated road project, resulting in lesser footfall at the pandals,” he added. “Our puja pandal usually spanned 45 feet every year and occupied a portion of the Ratu Road. But this year, due to the construction of the Ratu Road flyover, we have been forced to shorten the pandal by 20 feet,” Rohit Yadav, a member of the R&R Sporting Club, said.With the pandal sitting at a crucial traffic intersection, the organizers are fearing long traffic snarls. “The flyover construction has already thinned the road below. So, we have planned to set up barricades on the road from Ratu Road Chowk up to Minakshi Cinema to ensure smooth movement of devotees,” Yadav said.

Expats go pandal-hopping in the city

The Pune Expat Club and Lexagent organized a Ganesh walk for expats, allowing them to experience the vibrant culture and heritage of Pune. Around 30 nationals, including French citizens Pierre-Sylvain Gires and Joaquim, participated in the walk. Starting from Shaniwar Wada, the group visited various iconic pandals, enjoying the energy of the crowd, dhol beats, and delicious ukdiche modaks. The walk aimed to help expats understand Indian traditions and appreciate the country's culture. Preeti Roongta, co-founder of the Pune Expat Club, emphasized the walks' role in exploring India's celebratory side and educating expats about its nuances.

Protect forest message to go out from Salt Lake Durga Puja pandal to sensitise people

The CE Block Durga Puja in Salt Lake, Kolkata, has partnered with the Bengal Forest Department to raise awareness about the fragile state of the Sundarbans and the environmental threat to the city. The puja committee aims to educate the masses about the importance of mangroves in protecting Kolkata's future. The pandal will be transformed into a replica of the Sundarbans, complete with boat replicas and fishing nets. The forest department and South 24 Parganas have also participated to create awareness about the need to save the Sundarbans.

Pandal-hopping at midnight a matter of convenience, excitement for devotees

Ganapati pandals in Pune attract officegoers and students at night due to live shows and less traffic. The pandals are beautifully lit up and offer a chance to see performances based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Mharaj. However, the increasing footfall of visitors has led to overcrowding and long waiting times. In other news, expats in Pune participated in a Ganesh walk to experience the city's culture, while heritage walks during Ganeshotsav offer a chance to explore lesser-known pandals and learn about the festival's history. In Hyderabad, despite efforts to promote eco-friendly clay idols, most pandals still use Plaster of Paris idols.