Kataka: The Kataka district administration will operationalise a Single Window System to facilitate prompt clearances and permissions for puja committees ahead of Durga Puja-2026 in the city, officials said Friday.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the Collector and District Magistrate Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shindeand attended by Kataka Municipal Commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota, ADM (General) Kamaljeet Das, departmental officials and representatives of the Mahanagar Shanti Committee and Purvanchal Mahanagar Shanti Committee.
The Kataka Sadar Sub-Collector has been designated as the nodal officer for the Single Window System, while the ADM (General) will supervise the overall process. Each concerned department will nominate a nodal officer to scrutinise applications and take decisions within the stipulated time.
The R&B Department will issue structural safety certificates for puja pandals and other temporary structures, while the District Fire Officer and TPCODL will issue fire and electrical safety certificates, respectively. Trained volunteers deployed during last year’s puja will also be engaged this year, with the District Fire Officer tasked with ensuring adequate and easily accessible fire extinguishers at all puja mandaps.
The administration has also asked puja committees to coordinate with authorities during VIP visits and ensure that public movement is not obstructed. Special arrangements will be made for traffic and public convenience near Debigada.
Committees have further been advised to use rubber mats or other durable safety materials instead of tarpaulin for temporary floating ponds. The administration urged all puja committees to strictly adhere to prescribed rules, safety guidelines and standards and extend cooperation to ensure a peaceful and safe festival.
