Bengal tourism minister and Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh on Saturday asked Puja organisers to remove temporary structures and banners from the city’s main thoroughfares within a week to ease traffic.
“All banners, posters and temporary structures must be removed within a week. The streets must be cleared for commuters and smooth traffic movement,” Ghosh said.
The minister issued the directions while inspecting Safdar Hashmi Chowk, Hill Cart Road, Sevoke More and the Bidhan Road area as part of a beautification drive on Saturday.
Ghosh also called for action against encroachments and for street vendors to be monitored.
“We are not taking any aggressive measures immediately, but the instructions will have to be followed once the festive season is over,” he said.
The minister also flagged several irregularities during the immersion of Durga idols on the banks of the Mahananda.
“It has been noticed that several vehicles carrying the idols were not properly maintained and overloaded,” Ghosh said.
Civic employees had to intervene because some drivers were in no condition to drive, he added.
The minister said he and other officials were at the immersion site and had recorded the organisers involved in the irregularities, adding that they would be held
accountable.
“I will hold a meeting with all the puja organisers of the city by January next year and provide necessary government guidelines to them so that next year Durga Puja can be conducted in a more organised manner,” he said.
Traffic warning
State tourism minister and Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh warned of action against reckless driving and outlined measures to discourage minors from riding
two-wheelers.
“We will take stern steps against reckless driving, which often turns fatal,” he said.
Parents would first be counselled if their minor children were found riding two-wheelers and vehicles would be seized in case of a repeat offence, the minister said.
“Necessary campaigns will be conducted at schools,” he added.
Ghosh said efforts were also underway to identify additional parking spaces and review bus stands to reduce congestion across the city.
“A survey will be conducted by the traffic department (of Siliguri police commissionerate),” he added.