Overview

• The chief minister opened three Kolkata pandals on Saturday and said she will inaugurate about 3,000 across West Bengal over the next four to five days.
• She clarified that only pandals were opened before Mahalaya and that idol unveilings would begin from Mahalaya onward.
• West Bengal Police announced an additional 10,000 to 15,000 personnel from Mahalaya, with Home Guards, NCC cadets and volunteers assisting with crowd and traffic management through the Puja period and carnivals.
• Kolkata Police said a ‘Pujo Bandhu’ app will launch within days to help visitors navigate pandals and access integrated emergency helplines.
• At Tala Prattoy’s centenary, Banerjee unveiled the theme song ‘Bij Angan’ that she wrote, with minister Indranil Sen as vocalist, as Durga Puja approaches from September 27 to October 2.