Kolkata:A crowd-puller Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, modelled on the world's tallest building Burj Khalifa, suspended its laser show following a massive gathering that stoked fears of the spread of COVID-19. While some reports suggested that the laser show of Sribhumi Sporting Club, helmed by state minister Sujit Bose, was suspended after some pilots complained of obstruction in viewing due to it, organisers of the puja situated close to the Dumdum airport claimed that the measure was taken as the crowd was not moving forward, creating COVID and security hazards.
"We had to suspend our laser show on Saptami (Tuesday) evening as the crowd was not listening to our pleas to move forward. They were standing on the path in front of the marquee and watching the show till it got over. This was creating COVID and security hazards," one of the organisers, Dibyendu Goswami, told the media.
The 150-feet-marquee, modelled on the 828-metre-Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai, is the biggest draw among puja revellers this year. The puja committee had planned a slow and continuous movement of revellers along the path to the pandal. The laser show was suspended in consultation with state police and administration.