The civic authorities believe that along with the police it is their duty to ensure that this five-day festival is held in a smooth and organised manner. In order to shield residents from Puja organisers demanding huge subscriptions, the KMC has hiked registration fees for Puja pandals. The Mayor, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, today said: The registration fees for Puja pandals was Rs 800 earlier. However, this year the organisers will have to pay Rs 1,600 in order to get their pandals registered.

I personally do not believe in the concept of constructing huge pandals and demanding subscriptions for that purpose. It is the duty of residents to not give in to the organisers' demands for money, added Bhattacharya.

Another problem faced by the people of Kolkata is that the streets become inaccessible owing to the pandals during the Pujas. More often than not pandals are constructed in the middle of the road.

The mayor said: Pandals cannot encroach into the main roads this year. Immediate action will be taken against Puja organisers who do not follow this rule. If necessary, a complaint will be lodged in the High Court against the organiser.