All gates of Rabindra Sarobar to be locked on Nov 2

All the gates of the Rabindra Sarobar lake in the city will be locked in the run-up to the Chhat Puja as the National Green Tribunal has banned puja rituals or any other festivals which might cause pollution, a top KMDA official said on Sunday.

The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority is the custodian of the lake. Last year thousands of devotees had entered into Rabindra Sarobar lake and offered Chhat puja rituals in the waters of the lake.

The official said all the 15 gates of Rabindra Sarobar, from the side of Tollygunje to Dhakuria will be locked in the run-up to the Chhat Puja which will be held on November 2 and 3.

The KMDA official said three alternative waterbodies have been earmarked in south Kolkata for Chhat Puja rituals.

"We have put up boards near the gates of the Rabindra Sarobar lake informing people that entry of devotees will be prohibited from November 2 morning in compliance with the NGT directives," the official said.

The NGT on October 14 ...