Pandals ready to dazzle,but artisans struggle with rains and power cuts

“Since September 18 we have been witnessing frequent power cuts. It is impossible to work like this. The worst days were during the weekend when there was no power for five to six hours. Today we had loadshedding for one hour. This is the most crucial phase since finishing touches are given at this time. Delivery of idols has already started,” said Laxman Pal. His store has till now made 20 deliveries out of 38 orders.

Coupled with power cuts,incessant rains have left many hassled. Bishwanath Saha of Nil Kanta Pal store is a worried man — 10 to 15 orders are waiting for delivery. Now,the idols are being delivered from Kumartuli wrapped in plastic,which is turning out to be an extra expense.

“Eighty per cent of work is stuck because of heavy showers. Since the Pujas are in September only,this year,rain is affecting our work. We had thought we will finish our pandal by Friday,but now we are just hoping that we complete it by September 24,” said Subhashis Das,who has come from Midnapore to take delivery of his idols. He had to pay Rs 3,000 for the idols’ safely.

Jayanta Mukherjee,a member of Bishwamilani Durga Utsav Committee,said that the committee officials are a worried lot.

“I had to pay extra money to take my idol today since it had to be covered with plastic. We are worried that despite the plastic cover the rain may ruin the work. The lorry we hired to take the idols could not even come near the shop with the heavy showers disrupting traffic ,” said Mukherjee.