Jamshedpur’s Durga Utsav Grapples with Limited Fire Safety Personnel

Iconic Durga Utsav in Iron City Hinges on Just Ten Fire Department Staff, Raising Questions on Preparedness

Durga Utsav in Jamshedpur draws attention for its grandeur but faces questions over its fire safety management, relying on a mere ten personnel.

JAMSHEDPUR – Durga Utsav holds a special place in the hearts of the residents of Iron City Jamshedpur.

Not only locals but devotees from neighboring districts of Jharkhand, as well as from border areas of West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar, throng the city during this festive occasion.

The city becomes a hub of grand pandals, tableaux, and electric decorations.

This year too, preparations are underway, with both the puja committees and the district police rolling up their sleeves.

However, what stands out is the fire department’s readiness, or the lack of it.

The entire fire safety management for the city’s Durga Puja rests on just ten personnel.

Mangal Oraon, a fire department officer, stated that it’s mandatory for all puja committees to secure clearance from their department, emphasizing that there will be no compromise on safety.

Around 500 small and large, licensed and unlicensed, puja pandals are set up in the city, but only 40-45 have so far applied for a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

Oraon added that all leaves for the ten personnel have been canceled.

Questions arise on how a mere ten people will manage the safety for the anticipated crowd of lakhs.

It’s fortunate that the Tata Steel Fire Department is deployed in the city, which may mitigate potential risks.

However, the minimal staffing raises questions about the preparedness for any untoward incidents that might occur.