Ganjam administration launches single window clearance system for Berhampur pandals

Berhampur : Ganjam district administration on Tuesday initiated a single window clearance system to issue permits for setting up pandals in silk city for Durga Puja celebrations, scheduled from Sept 22.

The system, to be operational from the sub-collector’s office in Berhampur, will be available for five days for organisers to apply for necessary permissions from relevant agencies, according to Avinash Kumar, sub-collector, Berhampur.

Organisers will no longer need to visit multiple offices to obtain permits. They can secure all approvals, including temporary electricity connections, fire safety, permissions from Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC), and the police, through the single window system, which was introduced following discussions between the district administration and puja organisers on Monday evening.

So far, 40 puja organisers have expressed interest in conducting Durga Puja at various locations across the city, with numbers expected to rise.

The district administration has instructed organisers to limit the use of water pouches and plastic, install CCTV cameras within the pandals and deploy volunteers in coordination with the police to manage crowd.

Additionally, the administration has decided to close liquor shops in the BeMC area from 5 pm for three days leading up to Dussehra. A dry day will be observed on the day of immersion.