Durga Angan temple project begins in Kolkata’s New Town
The West Bengal government has begun work on “Durga Angan,” a large temple complex in New Town conceived by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, marking the Trinamool Congress leader’s latest push to highlight her government’s cultural projects ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. Banerjee had announced the project from the Trinamool’s July 21 rally, a platform traditionally used for key political messages. The state Cabinet cleared the plan in mid-August, and the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (Hidco) has since invited bids and started preliminary work. The temple complex is being built on 12.6 acres near Eco Park, adjacent to land owned by the Ramakrishna Mission. The plot is also close to a hotel where senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, often stay while in Kolkata — a coincidence that has not gone unnoticed in political circles. According to the bid documents issued on Aug. 22, the estimated cost of construction is set at 2.62 billion rupees ($313 million). The deadline for bid submissions was Sept. 11, after which groundwork began. Workers have started raising the land level with earth-filling, officials said. The construction timeline has been fixed at 24 months from the date of the contract, which means the project is expected to be completed by September 2027 if no political upheaval intervenes. The move follows Banerjee’s inauguration of the Jagannath Dham temple in Digha earlier this year, a project also overseen by Hidco. Political analysts see the temples as part of a broader strategy to blunt the BJP’s Hindutva campaign by projecting Banerjee as a leader committed to inclusive religious traditions. For more than a decade, Trinamool has maintained a near-monopoly on minority votes, a bloc the BJP has accused the ruling party of appeasing at the expense of Hindus. In recent years, the saffron party has sharpened its messaging around this accusation, seeking to consolidate Hindu voters. Banerjee, however, insists her projects reflect her belief in communal harmony. Meanwhile, Hidco itself has undergone significant changes. The agency, long under the purview of the Urban Development Department, was shifted last December to the Administrative Reforms and Personnel Department, which Banerjee directly heads. Leadership has also changed hands: veteran minister Firhad Hakim was replaced as Hidco chairman late last year, with former chief secretary H.K. Dwivedi holding interim charge before finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya took over last week. As the 2026 polls approach, the Durga Angan temple is likely to serve not only as a cultural landmark but also as a political symbol in West Bengal’s fiercely contested electoral landscape.
India’s Fish Importers Urge Bangladesh to Allow Hilsa Exports Ahead of Durga Puja
Durga Puja approaches, fish traders in India have formally requested Bangladesh to permit the export of Hilsa — the prized river fish often considered synonymous with festive feasts in Bengal. In a letter sent on Tuesday to Touhid Hossain, Adviser to Bangladesh’s caretaker government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Fish Importers’ Association of India sought early approval for the export of Hilsa from the Padma River. “Last year, Bangladesh had allowed the export of 2,420 metric tonnes of Hilsa, for which we remain deeply grateful,” wrote Syed Anwar Maqsood, Secretary of the association. “This year, we are requesting approval ahead of the Durga Puja festival, without imposing a fixed export time frame.” Maqsood pointed out that despite last year’s export approval, only 577 metric tonnes of Hilsa eventually reached India due to the narrow time window — typically 30 to 45 days — set by Dhaka. “Such a short period is insufficient to handle such a large volume of fish exports,” the letter said. Hilsa, considered a delicacy during Durga Puja — especially on the eighth day or Ashtami — holds immense cultural and culinary significance among Bengalis. A plate of Hilsa, many believe, completes the celebration. The appeal comes at a sensitive juncture in India-Bangladesh relations, which have been strained following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Issues such as border tensions and concerns over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh have led to increased diplomatic friction. Despite the chill in bilateral ties, Indian traders are hopeful that Dhaka will consider the cultural significance of Hilsa during the festive season and grant the export request in time.
