Kolkata is all set for the festive season - Durga Puja, Kali puja, Diwali, Chhath,  Christmas and the year end celebrations. It is this time of the year when everyone in the city can feel the energy. This year is very special with Durga Puja getting International recognition. And it is a moment of pride for all of us. 

The festival also means much more than just celebrations. It is a huge economic driver for the state! 

Several families involved in idol-making, illumination work and making handmade items look forward to this season. Small and medium businesses thrive and big brands put out all stops to gain greater visibility.  

The total economic worth of creative activities involved in Durga Puja is about ₹32,377 crore and the festival contributes to 2.58% of West Bengal’s GDP, says a British Council study. 

But one look around the city during Durga Puja, and it will seem like you are in a sea of flex banners. Every inch is almost covered with large hoardings. 

In some places, there are 3 or even 5 layers of banners covering each side of the streets. This definitely is a source of visual pollution but that is not the only problem. 

People are finding it difficult to locate addresses as these hoardings are all over the major road intersections. Is this not a safety issue as well? What happens if there is a fire? How will the response team work with such hoardings blocking access? Many Kolkata residents have complained that hoardings have been put in such a way that they cannot even open their windows now!

The walls of flex banners also block airflow. When lakhs of people are out on the streets during the festivities, it will cause a lot of discomfort to them.

Recently, the government had passed a notification banning flex banners below 100 microns. But it seems most Durga Puja organisers are not following the norms and allowing sponsors to put up hoardings in violation of the rules.

What is the plan to responsibly dispose of or recycle these banners after the festivities are over?

It is my earnest request to the government to please issue some guidelines for Durga Puja organisers that specify the use and disposal of these banners and hoardings. The guidelines should be aimed at striking a balance and ensuring compliance on the use of proper material and disposal to minimise pollution.