Agartala, Sept 26: Ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations, the Tripura Fire and Emergency Services Department has released a set of mandatory safety guidelines for community puja committees, household puja organizers, and housing society puja committees across the state.
The directives aim to prevent fire hazards and ensure public safety during the festive season. Key instructions include:
No pandal or structure should be erected under live electric lines or near electrical transformers. Use of synthetic or flammable materials in pandal construction must be avoided. Structures must be built with tubular steel frames, sal wood, or strong timber, secured with fire-resistant ropes or metal wires. Roof height should not exceed 40 feet and must not be lower than 12 feet from ground level. All exits must be clearly marked with “EXIT” signs in English and the local language, with letters no smaller than 8 inches. Electrical wiring must use insulated flame-proof materials, and layouts should only be executed by licensed electrical contractors. Loose joints or tap connections are strictly prohibited. Each pandal must keep at least five buckets of water and five buckets of sand at the front and back, along with ceiling hooks and trained personnel for emergency use. Fire extinguishers (CO₂ and ABC types) must be installed at the main electrical panel, with trained operators present. Emergency exits of at least 1.5 meters width and adequate emergency lighting are mandatory. Smoking, fireworks, open flames, cooking, or heating inside pandals are strictly prohibited. Daily disconnection of power supply from the distribution room after visiting hours is required. Roads leading to the pandal must be free from overhead obstructions to allow movement of fire engines. “No Smoking” signs must be displayed prominently, and announcements made through the public address system. Organizers must appoint responsible persons to coordinate with fire officials in case of emergency. Emergency contact numbers for Fire, Police, and Ambulance services must be displayed inside the pandal premises. Adequate volunteers should be deployed to manage crowds and ensure compliance.
The department further stated that officers designated by the Director of Fire & Emergency Services may impose additional conditions depending on the situation, and all puja committees are bound to comply.
Officials emphasized that proposed temporary structures and pandals must remain open for inspection by the Fire Service Department at all times.
