37,000 Durga pujas across Bengal: Can the state avoid a Covid-19 surge?

As Durga Puja festivities begin, experts warn that the West Bengal government’s guidelines to control the spread of COVID-19 during the state’s biggest festival would only work if there is less crowding. Many are worried about COVID-19 superspreader events and a possible spread to districts that currently have lower infection prevalence.

This year, 37,000 pujas will be organised across Bengal, including 2,509 in Kolkata, even as the fifth phase of the “Unlock” is under way. Last year’s pujo season saw 2,500 pandals across Kolkata alone that raked up six million visitors, said Partha Dutta, sergeant, Kolkata Traffic Police.

Updated guidelines were issued