Durga Puja laser shows 'banned

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Durga Puja laser shows 'banned' to avoid risks to military aircraft operations, Police cautious Puja committee

Preparations for Durga Puja 2026 have already commenced in various localities in around Paschim bardhaman district. The Block Administration and the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate has banned laser shows during the Durga Puja festival to avoid risks to military aircraft operations.The Paschim bardhaman Block Administration and the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate held a meeting with Puja committees in Kanksa today. The Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, ACP (Traffic-3) Rajkumar Malakar stated, "Instructions have been issued to the Kanksa Police to maintain strict vigilance to ensure that no Durga Puja Puja committee defies administrative directives by organizing laser shows during the Durga Puja festival days. The Kanksa Police have been specifically directed to keep a close watch on this matter."

He also added "Let the lights shine in the Durga Puja pavilion, but let that light not to reach the sky. The administration is cautious in advance about organizing laser shows during the Durga Puja festival. Keeping in mind the safety of military aircraft. The all Kankasa puja committees have been instructed not to organize laser shows. The administration fears that Powerful laser beams pointed at the sky can impair pilots' vision. Therefore, the administration does not want to take any risks during the festive season."

A key Air Force base is located at Panagarh in Kanksa, West Bardhaman, while the Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport is situated in Durgapur. Air Force aircraft, as well as passenger flights, operate through the airspace over Panagarh and the surrounding areas. Consequently, special precautions are being taken to ensure that the decorative lighting or laser shows at Durga Puja pandals do not disrupt military aircraft operations as well as passenger flights air traffic.

Alongside the grand Durga Puja celebrations, themed marquees, special lighting arrangements, and various light displays have become major attractions of the festival. Laser shows, in particular, are popular at many Puja venues. However, the administration believes that extra caution is required regarding the use of such lighting in areas like Panagarh and durgapur sub division, which are significant for air traffic operations.