Kolkata: For the first time ever, Kolkata is all set to host over 3,000 Durga Pujas this year. According to Kolkata Police, a total of 3,319 pujas will be held in the city this year, with almost 400 being added this year. Of these, around 247 pujas have been marked as “big” and have been mentioned in the Kolkata Police guide map, said cops.Addressing a press meet at Lalbazar on Tuesday, police commissioner Ajay Nand stated that around 32,000 security personnel will be out on the road from Chaturthi. “Of these, 12,000 will be Kolkata Police personnel. We are also deploying 21,000 home guards besides civil defence and NCC cadets,” said Nand. The commissioner stated that of these, around 12,000 will be dedicated to keeping the traffic movement smooth.The city hosted 2,976 pujas in 2024-25, 2,757 in 2023 and 2,701 Durga Pujas in 2022.According to sources at Lalbazar, the highest number (685) of pujas this year is in the Jadavpur Division, up from 625 in 2024 and 651 in 2025. It is followed by the Behala Division, where 598 pujas are taking place. East Kolkata has 335, north Kolkata 312, south Kolkata 258, Southeast Kolkata 208, and the East, Central, Port and Bhangar divisions make up the remaining numbers.“The Behala area has seen several new complexes, some of whom had been planning to host a puja for the past three years. Several of these are exclusively being organized by women,” said Sandipan Banerjee, vice-president of Forum for Durgotsab and the convener of Behala Natun Dal.Kolkata Police have unveiled a comprehensive citywide security plan for over 3,000 pandals. For the first time, special focus will be on managing heavy daytime footfall during the festive period. To assist visitors arriving early in the day, cops will be posted across 27 major pandals, alongside police deployments at 10 to 15 smaller pandals per division.
