Patna: Inadequate streetlighting, overgrown tree branches, encroachments and poor roads are among the concerns of organisers of the Durga Puja pandal at Himgiri Chauraha, who say the civic issues could complicate festival arrangements.Harsh Vardhan, an acting member of the Shri Vijay Vahini Durga Puja Samiti, said organisers had installed their own lights due to inadequate municipal support.“We put up six to seven halogen lights near the pandal to ensure better illumination during the festivities as the streetlights are not maintained and fail to illuminate the lanes surrounding the pandal,” he said.He added that overgrown branches along approach roads obstruct the movement of the large idol during installation and immersion, making regular trimming necessary.Committee president Santosh Kumar said street vendors occupy nearly half of the 40ft-wide road, leaving less space for visitors and traffic. He alleged that vendors move away during anti-encroachment drives but return afterwards.Organising member Ashish Manaswain flagged the poor condition of internal lanes, saying residents often complain about the roads when organisers approach them for puja donations.Crowd management is another concern, with the pandal having a common entry and exit point. The committee has sought the deployment of at least 10 NCC personnel to regulate the movement of devotees and prevent overcrowding during peak hours.Organisers said timely civic intervention, including improved lighting, tree trimming, road repairs and crowd-control measures, would help ensure a safer and smoother festival.
