Siliguri: A 100-kg gold ensemble featuring Goddess Durga, Kartik, Ganesh, Lakshmi and Saraswati will be the biggest attraction at the 64th Central Colony Durga Puja in Siliguri this year, with the organisers expecting a large turnout from across North Bengal and beyond. The puja will also have a new venue this year while the mandap and illumination are being designed by artistes from Balurghat and Chandernagore respectively.The Central Colony Durga Puja committee, which has been organising the puja for 63 years at the Central Colony Railway Ground, has shifted the venue following the Railways’ decision to develop a cricket ground at the site.“The new ground is close to NJP Police Station, around 200 m away. Despite the change, we have made arrangements to ensure that the scale and appeal of the puja remain intact,” committee members said.With the gold ensemble expected to draw huge crowds, the committee has also planned elaborate security arrangements at the venue.“Barricades will be erected around the mandap, with the first one positioned around 8ft away from the structure. The entire venue will be covered by CCTV cameras and several security personnel will be deployed. Police arrangements will also be made under the supervision of senior state police officials. A separate barricade will be placed behind the mandap to regulate visitors’ movement and prevent overcrowding,” the organisers said.The puja is scheduled to be inaugurated at 6pm on Tritiya. Invitation letters have been sent to the PM, CM, MPs and MLAs.
