Kolkata Metro steps up vigil for Durga puja rush

The Kolkata Metro has stepped up vigil across all the stations deploying six sniffer dogs and 330 closed circuit TV cameras in view of the Durga puja rush, an official said Tuesday.

With the festive season a month-and-a-half away, the metro rail is preparing to tackle the rush of shoppers and tourists with special security measures and steps to guide tourists to the puja pandals or marquees.

Durga puja is the biggest festival of the Bengalis. The four-day carnival begins Sep 29.

"Six sniffer dogs have been put on the job across the metro lines while baggage scanners are in place in all the stations. In addition, 50 hand-held metal detectors have been supplied to the staff. As many as 330 CCTV cameras are in service," Kolkata Metro spokesperson R.N. Mahapatra told IANS.

Mahapatra said all the stations will be decked up during the festival.

For ease of the commuters and tourists wishing to pandal-hop via the metro and see the various pandals that are accessible by train, leaflets bearing directions will be distributed.

"Posters will be put up and guides in the form of leaflets will be distributed," he said.