Compared with Durga Puja 2025, passenger traffic in...

Compared with Durga Puja 2025, passenger traffic in #Kolkata ’s suburban and metro rail sections rose by 32–33% during Durga Puja 2026. The city has a [redacted]nking population and a low share of young people. The rise is attributable largely to an influx of people from the suburbs. The passenger data corroborates reports of a 25–40% year-on-year rise in Puja sales by eateries. Food and beverage sales hit an eight-year high. The sharp spike in footfalls challenges theories of a ‘lack of Pujo vibes’ and offers some explanation for the Chorbagan #stampede . I did not go out for pandal hopping. However, inputs from friends suggest that crowd distribution among pandals may have shifted this year. This could partly explain why traffic police bandobast was not at its usual best in the early days of the celebrations. I hope the authorities will conduct a deep dive into the data to prepare for the 2027 Durga Puja season. #DurgaPuja2026

Compared with Durga Puja 2025, passenger traffic in ’s suburban and metro rail sections rose by 32–33% during Durga Puja 2026. The city has a [redacted]nking population and a low share of youn

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