Have Puja Committees Taken Prior Permission?: Orissa High Court Raises Concern Over Huge Pandals During Festival Season
|In a Suo Moto Writ Petition, the High Court raised issues, among others, with regard to air and noise pollution, traffic and crowd management, fire safety, safety of people during the upcoming festive season.
The Orissa High Court raised issues with regard to air and noise pollution due to festivities, traffic and crowd management, fire safety, supply of safe drinking water selling of adulterated food, waste management, safety of people during the upcoming festive season.
The High Court said that organizers should prioritize safety and stability by carefully considering the potential risks associated with increased height, adhering to safety regulations and ensuring robust construction practices.
The Bench of Justice S.K. Sahoo and Justice V. Narasingh observed, “The concerned Authority/Authorities shall file an affidavit on this issue as to whether the Puja Committees are taking prior permission relating to the nature of pandals (both bamboo and electrical), and the height of gates and its numbers to be constructed within their respective areas while applying for licenses and what safety measures are taken by the Puja Committee for maintenance of such pandals and whether “no objection” certificates are issued by taking into account all the safety measures.”
Case Brief
The Orissa High Court heard a batch of Suo Moto Writ Petition with regard to the issues faced by SCB Medical College and hospital problems, Liver Transplant Issue, Steps to be taken by Authorities for upcoming festive season.
With regard to the issues relating to Cardiothoracic vascular Surgery and ECMO Unit of Cardiology Department, it was submitted that first time instruments and equipments were procured in the year 1985 and thereafter in the year 2015 and after 2015, there was no supply of major and vital instruments and equipments despite repeated communications. It was also submitted that a list of equipment and instruments required was placed since the financial year 2017- 2018, but till date no instruments have been supplied to the Department.
The issues regarding Liver Transplant, staffing, steps to be taken by authorities in upcoming festive season was also addressed in the Petition.
Court’s Observation
With regard to the absence of Assistant Professor, the Court said that it was really shocking that an Asst. The professor of such a sensitive department of SCBMCH has not resumed his duties for more than two years and he was not even responding to several correspondences.
The Court noted that there was patent lack of communication and coherence between different wings of Health Department which has evidently resulted in non-supply of essential equipment endangering life of the patients. “Such lackadaisical attitudes need to be addressed on an emergent basis and hopefully necessary corrective steps in this regard shall be taken keeping in view the welfare of the patients”, the Court added.
The High Court highlighted the issue of erection of bamboo structures in some Puja Mandaps within the perimeters of public roads to celebrate Durga Puja obstructing normal flow of traffic. The Court took into account that the Collector of Cuttack assured the High Court that illegal construction activities on the public road will be checked.
The Court directed that the concerned Authority/Authorities shall file an affidavit on this issue as to whether the Puja Committees are taking prior permission relating to the nature of pandals (both bamboo and electrical), and the height of gates and its numbers to be constructed within their respective areas while applying for licenses and what safety measures are taken by the Puja Committee for maintenance of such pandals and whether „no objection‟ certificates are issued by taking into account all the safety measures.
Thereafter, the Court also raised issues with regard to air and noise pollution due to festivities, traffic and crowd management, fire safety, supply of safe drinking water selling of adulterated food, waste management, safety of people and said, “The spirit of festival ought not be drowned in the cacophony of sound…Effective traffic and crowd management are crucial for a smooth and safe festive season.”
The Court also opined, “There has to be increased police presence and patrols, targeting specific crime types, training police personnel on festive season crime patterns and prevention techniques, equipping constables with necessary tools etc.”
Accordingly, the matter was listed on August 26, 2025.
Cause Title: Registrar(Judicial), Orissa High Court, Cuttack V. State of Odisha & Ors.
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