The series of collapses and cave-ins due to Metro tunnelling work in Bowbazar, not only rendered several residents in the area homeless but has also displaced the Durga Puja deity, which was being worshipped at 14 Syakra Para Lane for more than five decades. The members of Madhya Kalikata Sykara Para Lane Jubak Samity (MKSPLJS) have been organising the biggest festival of the state with splendour, magnificence and simplicity for around 57 years.

All unaware of the disaster that would make them refugees overnight, the club members had been preparing for the 58th year of their Durga Puja. The Puja was held in the open space covering an area of about 520 square feet in front of their club. The members of Sykara Para Lane Jubak Samity had ordered an enormous idol, 12 feet high, for their 58th year Puja celebrations. The subsidence that occurred a fortnight ago turned their lives upside down and also dampened their Puja spirits.

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However, the club members, who had cancelled the plans of holding the Puja this year, are now putting in their efforts to ensure they do not give it a miss. “Initially, we had thought of cancelling the Puja celebrations due to the crisis,” said Asis Sen, secretary of the club. “But the club members and local residents insisted upon continuing the trend, no matter how big the disaster was. We are now looking for a venue to set up the pandal for which we are considering two places in close proximity to the original venue.

We will apply for the permission from the police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation tomorrow. After obtaining the permission, we will then decide the size of the idol according to the availability of space,” he added. Meanwhile, the officials of Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Limited (KMRCL) completed the verification of trade licence of 44 jewellers and handed over a form to them for rehabilitation process. The form, according to KMRCL officials needs to be certified by the local building owner, councillor and the local police.