As Bijaya Dashami carries Durga Puja towards its close, Kolkata is bracing for the busiest stretch of immersion traffic and crowds. This year the mood around the river is more careful than usual. After a stampede at the Chorbagan pandal on Mahasaptami evening, which PTI reports killed 19 people, the state government has stepped up supervision for the immersion days. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Babughat on Wednesday, October 21, to review the arrangements, and a senior police team has been assigned to oversee the process until October 24. Here is what has been announced and what it means if you plan to be near the ghats.
What the Chief Minister Reviewed at Babughat
The Chief Minister inspected the immersion arrangements at Babughat, one of the best known riverside points on the Hooghly. He was accompanied by Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand and Kolkata Municipal Commissioner Smita Pandey. According to the PTI report carried by several outlets, he said additional precautions have been taken and security arrangements have been strengthened. He also said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is involved in the security arrangements, and that cleaning work will follow once the immersions are over.
Only Babughat was named in the reports, so if you are heading to another ghat, expect similar coordination between the police, the KMC and emergency teams but check local notices for exact details.
18 IPS Officers to Supervise Immersions
Police have assigned 18 IPS officers to oversee immersions in Kolkata and three neighbouring commissionerates (Howrah, Barrackpore and Chandannagar) from October 21 to October 24. Twelve of them are posted in Kolkata, working in two groups of six that alternate by day, while the remaining six are spread across the other three commissionerates. In plain terms, a senior officer will be on duty on every immersion day, which is meant to speed up decisions on crowd control, diversions and emergencies.
Why This Matters for Kolkata Residents
Immersion days are when processions from neighbourhood committees move towards the river at the same time, often through narrow approach roads. The Chorbagan tragedy has made crowd management the central concern this year. For residents, the practical effect is likely to be more barricading, more police on the approach roads and tighter control on how many people can gather at one spot. It also means waits can be longer near the ghats, especially in the evening.
This sits alongside the traffic curbs already in force. Our guide to the Kolkata Durga Puja immersion traffic rules explains the road restrictions and the goods vehicle ban, and our report on Metro station security during Puja covers the underground network.
Safety and Practical Tips
- Avoid the ghat approach roads in the evening if you do not need to be there. Early afternoon is usually calmer.
- If you do go, keep children and elderly family members close and agree on a meeting point in case you get separated.
- Follow the instructions of police and volunteers, and do not push into a crowd that is already moving slowly.
- Do not climb on barricades, parked vehicles or temporary structures to get a better view.
- Use the Metro where it serves your route, and keep extra time for buses, autos and app cabs.
- Keep emergency numbers handy and note the nearest exit before you settle in at any crowded spot.
- Check the Kolkata Police and Kolkata Traffic Police social media pages for live diversion updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which dates do the IPS deployments cover?
The 18 IPS officers are assigned from October 21 to October 24, covering Kolkata, Howrah, Barrackpore and Chandannagar.
Which ghat did the Chief Minister visit?
Babughat in Kolkata. Reports did not name other ghats in the review.
Is the NDRF involved?
Yes. The Chief Minister said the NDRF is part of the security arrangements for the immersions.
What happens after the immersions?
The Chief Minister said cleaning work will be carried out after the immersions are over.
Are there more immersion dates after October 24?
Kolkata Police has separate immersion curbs for Lakshmi Puja on October 26 and 27, as covered in our traffic rules guide.
The Bottom Line
The message from the administration is clear: immersion should be orderly and safe, and the city is being asked to cooperate. If you are out on the streets over the next few days, give yourself time, stay patient and keep away from dense crowds. A calm farewell to Maa Durga is the best outcome for everyone.
Featured image: Boat floating on the river in the evening under a bridge, photo by Subhajit Jana on Unsplash.
Sources: PTI report on the Chief Minister’s immersion review (October 21, 2026) as carried by ThePrint, DT Next and Indian Masterminds, cross-checked with Millennium Post. This article is independently written and details may change as authorities issue updates.
