ALLAHABAD: As many as 1,307 idols of Goddess Durga would be installed at various barwaris and puja pandals across the district this year. The number has increased by 30% in comparison to previous year. The registered Barwari Durga Puja committees have urged the district authorities to take action against unregistered pandals and committee.Convener, Bengali Welfare Association, Gautam Banerjee said that there are overs 42 registered Barwari Durga puja committees in city which have been organising the festival in traditional manner for decades. "The number of unregistered puja committees is also mushrooming every year and five to six such committees are coming up in city every year. The registered barwaris fulfil all norms set by the district on security and safety," he said.The main reason behind mushrooming of Durga puja pandals across the district is that the organisers usually set pandals after collecting donations. A few of them take permission from the authorities concerned while others take it for granted. As there was no check on pandals especially in rural areas, people have starting putting idols of god or goddess on roadside corners and organise events.Shahikant Kanaujia, general secretary, Mahamaya Barwari Durga Puja committee, Preetam Nagar said, "Earlier, there was only one registered Barwari Durga puja committee in Preetam Nagar locality but the strength of puja committee has currently increased to three or four in the past three years."Dilip Kumar Gupta of Barwari Durga Puja committee, Mutthiganj said that there has been 15 registered puja committees in the area while the strength of unregistered would be more. He said local administration should take corrective measures to take unregistered pandals to task.An office-bearer of Nav Yuvak Durga Puja committee, Rajapur said that they have applied for registration and have been setting up small pandal for the past two years.District magistrate Sanjay Kumar said, "There would be no new committee in city and all norms for setting up puja pandals should be fulfilled." He admitted that the strength of new puja pandals has increased but officials would verify the status of all a pandals."

Stay updated with all the Allahabad Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.