Tag: kolkata news

17May By source belowNo Comments

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Ahead of 2026 Assembly polls, CM Mamata going on a 3-day visit to North Bengal; TMC expects more Oppn leaders to join party

To bolster Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) influence in North Bengal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be on a three-day visit to the region from May 19, especially when the 2026 Assembly election is barely a few months away. Days before her visit, the party camp received a shot in the arm as former Union Minister of State and BJP MP John Barla switched over to TMC on May 15. The party workers have an inkling that the CM’s visit to North Bengal will influence more Opposition leaders to TMC and thereby strengthen their base in a fairly weaker front in North Bengal. Banerjee has already announced that on Monday, she will attend a “synergy” business conference and on Tuesday, a government distribution programme at Odlabari. Story continues below this ad The main pro...

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16May By source belowNo Comments

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Police strength less, now is the time to hire more: HC to govt on Murshidabad violence

Releasing a petition seeking a CBI probe into the murder of a father-son duo, who were killed in the communal violence that had rocked parts of Murshidabad district in April, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday advised the state government to employ more police personnel. “Now is the time to recruit sufficient police personnel. The number of police personnel in each district is less. The police force in Murshidabad is also very small,” the court said, adding had there “been a sufficient number of police personnel, the situation in Dhuliyan could have been brought under control”. The High Court bench further commented that there should be a minimum number of forces in every place. Story continues below this ad The state government’s counsel, Kalyan Bandopadhyay, however, po...

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15May By source belowNo Comments

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Dilip Ghosh on stepson’s death: Was undergoing counselling, had drug-related issues

A Day after his 26-year-old stepson, Srinjoy Dasgupta, was found dead at his New Town residence, senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Wednesday publicly expressed concern over the use of drugs among young people. The BJP leader told media pesons that Srinjoy had “drug-related issues and was on counselling” and suggested that drug consumption may have contributed to his death. Expressing concern about the dangers of drug abuse among youth, Ghosh urged parents to be vigilant, saying many young people are “drowning in drugs.” “He had drug-related issues and was on counselling. His death is a stark testimony to how easily youths are getting involved in such things. It’s a significant learning lesson for us that despite providing education, young people are still being diverted,” he said. Stor...

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14May By source belowNo Comments

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CM Mamata Banerjee announces financial assistance to jobless Group C and D employees

In a relief to the Group C and Group D employees whose appointments were terminated by the Supreme Court in the wake of the cash-for-jobs scam in state-run schools. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced payment of monthly allowances to them on a temporary basis. Banerjee announced Rs 25,000 and Rs 20,000 to the jobless Group C and Group D employees, respectively, out of a newly launched West Bengal Livelihood and Social Security Scheme under the state Labour Department. The scheme, which was approved by the state Cabinet, would come into effect from April 1, 2025, the CM said. Story continues below this ad “The families who have lost their jobs are in great difficulty. The matter is currently sub-judice. We will file a review petition before the Supreme Cou...

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14May By source belowNo Comments

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Govt to allot 2,515 acres for setting up steel factories across the state

The state Cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to allot 2,515 acres of land to different industrial parks for setting up steel production units across the state. Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the move would boost the steel industry in the state by bringing over Rs 25,000 crore investment and generating over 70,000 jobs. The chief minister also announced that the state government would set up an International Information Technologies Entertainment and Culture Park in New Town that will be spread over 35 acres. “We named it “IITEC” in English and ‘Biswa Angan’ in Bengali. It will become an international-level cultural hub in future,” the CM said. Story continues below this ad She also said that the government would set up two more conventio...

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14May By source belowNo Comments

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‘Can’t believe it’: Bengal family celebrates as Pakistan hands over BSF jawan Purnam Shaw to India

Amid the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a wave of immense relief swept through the family of BSF jawan Purnam Shaw. On Tuesday morning, Bholenath Shaw, Purnam’s father, received official confirmation from BSF Headquarters that his son had been released by Pakistan on Wednesday morning at 10.30 am. “I couldn’t believe it. Last evening at 7.30 pm, we were informed about his release,” Bholenath told The Indian Express over the phone from his residence in Rishra, Hooghly. “I want to thank the Indian Government, our Chief Minister, state leaders, and God for his release.” Purnam Shaw returned to India through the Attari-Wagah border on Wednesday evening. His father said Purnam is currently undergoing medical examinations and will be debriefed about his time in Pakistan before fina...

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13May By source belowNo Comments

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Dilip Ghosh’s stepson found dead at home, police file case of unnatural death

Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh’s 26-year-old stepson was found dead at his New Town residence on Tuesday morning.Srinjoy Dasgupta worked with an IT firm. Sources said the family cook discovered him “unconscious”. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and said they were awaiting the results of the autopsy. Sources said that the autopsy surgeon reported that Srinjoy died of acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis. Story continues below this ad “As of now, there has been no formal complaint received by the police, neither from his mother, Rinku Majumdar, nor from any member of his family,” PTI quoted a police officer as saying. Rinku Majumdar, who married Dilip Ghosh last month, said Srinjoy ...

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13May By source belowNo Comments

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Rain, thunderstorms expected across Bengal on May 13; orange alert on in North Bengal districts

Written by Adrija Datta The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Kolkata has issued a weather warning indicating the likelihood of rain and thunderstorms across several parts of North and South Bengal on May 13, Tuesday. An orange alert was issued for the northern districts of Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar on Tuesday. These areas are expected to experience light to moderate thunderstorms and lightning, coupled with light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds blowing at speeds ranging between 40 to 50 kmph. Story continues below this ad In addition to these districts, rainfall is also likely to affect Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, Paschim and Purba Medinipur, Jhargram, Birbhum, Murshidabad, and Nadia. The IMD has stated...

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12May By source belowNo Comments

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Mother dies 4 months after being given ‘expired saline’ by West Bengal govt-run hospital

Four months after allegedly being administered contaminated saline in the West Bengal government-run Midnapore Medical College, 20-year-old Nasrin Khatun – a new mother – died on Sunday night. According to her family, her condition had remained critical since the saline administration. She was on dialysis, her heart was failing, and two days before her death, she began experiencing seizures during dialysis. She never regained consciousness and was placed on a ventilator. The incident dates back to January 2025, when a 31-year-old woman who had delivered a baby on January 8 died the next day at the state-run hospital. Her family alleged that her death was caused by the use of “expired” saline. Three other women, including Nasrin, developed complications after receiving the same saline. The ...

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10May By source belowNo Comments

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Heatwave predicted in West Bengal for next 3 days, mercury level likely to cross 40 degrees

Written by Adrija Datta The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata has forecast heatwave conditions and isolated thunderstorm activity across parts of West Bengal from May 11 to May 13. According to the bulletin, heatwave conditions are likely to prevail at one or two locations in the districts of West Burdwan, Birbhum, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, and Paschim Medinipur. In these areas, the maximum temperature is expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius or higher, which is approximately 5 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. Additionally, hot and humid weather conditions are expected to affect several other districts across South Bengal. In North Bengal, heatwave conditions are likely in Malda, North Dinajpur, and South Dinajpur. Story continues below this ad In contr...

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10May By source belowNo Comments

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As Indo-Pak border tensions escalate, summer vacations of govt-run schools in Bengal extended

The West Bengal school education department has extended the summer vacations of state government-run schools till May 31 in light of the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Government schools in the state will now open on June 2. “Considering the present situation, it has been decided that the summer vacation in the primary/upper primary/secondary/higher secondary schools including the schools in the Hill Subdivisions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong District has been extended upto 31st May, 2025 The schools will reopen on 2 June, 2025 (Monday),” the notification stated. Schools under the West Bengal Board of Primary Education were to stay closed from May 2 to May 12, while schools under the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education were to remain closed from May 12 to May 23. ...

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9May By source belowNo Comments

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Alleged JMB members arrested in Bengal: ‘Were plotting attacks, recruitment drives,’ say police

In the intervening night of May 8 and 9, teams of the Special Task Force of West Bengal conducted simultaneous raids at Nalhati and Murarai in the Birbhum district and arrested two persons — Ajmol Hossain (28) of Nalhati and Saheb Ali Khan (28) of Murarai. “The two have been found to be propagating the ideology of Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh or JMB, which is a banned terror organisation in India,” claimed an official. As per police, the arrested persons are allegedly part of a module that is engaged in “dissemination of seditious and jihadi materials” by using “encrypted, sophisticated” methods. They are also accused of planning to “target certain persons and places, which could harm the sovereignty and integrity of India”. Story continues below this ad “They were engage...

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8May By source belowNo Comments

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Rooftops must be treated as common areas: West Bengal govt issues 20-point guidelines after Burrabazar hotel fire

The West Bengal government’s Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs issued a memorandum on May 6, following the tragic fire at a hotel in Burrabazar that claimed 14 lives. The memorandum includes 20 guidelines aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.It reads: “In recent past, some untoward fire incidents, even loss of life occurred in various urban areas due to negligent attitude of the owners of the building… (and activities) which are definitive contraventions of the relevant provisions of the West Bengal Municipal (Building) Rules, 2007 and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Building Rules, 2009.” According to the memorandum, every terrace on the topmost storey of any building shall be open to common access and should not be subdivided. Access to the roof canno...

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7May By source belowNo Comments

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Operation Sindoor ‘brings emotional relief but can’t replace lost son’: Family of IB officer who died in Pahalgam attack

The news of “Operation Sindoor” by the Indian government has brought a mix of relief and enduring sorrow to the family of Manish Ranjan, the IB officer from West Bengal who tragically lost his life in the militant attack in Pahalgam. India on Wednesday hit nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting terrorist infrastructure there. The strike came two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack. While the family welcomes the operation as a step towards justice, the void left by Manish’s passing remains immense. In a telephonic conversation with The Indian Express, Manish’s father said, “I would say whichever country gives shelter to terrorists should face such consequences. The fight against terrorists must continue.” Story continues below this ad The profoun...

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7May By source belowNo Comments

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‘Jewellery, valuables missing or stolen’: Tamil Nadu family who lost 2 children, senior citizen in Kolkata hotel fire

A Tamil Nadu family, whose vacation ended in tragedy after a fire at Kolkata’s Rituraj Hotel, has now contacted the Kolkata Police regarding missing ornaments from the bodies of their loved ones who perished in the blaze.T Prabhu and his family, who were on a holiday with Darjeeling as their final stop, reached Kolkata on April 29 to board a train back to Chennai. They stayed overnight in the hotel before their scheduled departure — but tragedy struck before they could leave. In the fire, T Prabhu lost his two children, P Diya (10) and P Rithan (3 years and 8 months old), and his father-in-law, L S Muthukrishnan (61). The couple returned to Karur in Tamil Nadu with the bodies of the three deceased family members. Story continues below this ad T Prabhu has now alleged that ...

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5May By source belowNo Comments

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Uncertainty grips Kolkata rooftop restaurant owners following closure order

Written by Sharadiya Mitra Rooftop restaurant owners across Kolkata are reeling from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) sudden order to shut down all their establishments. Many are left in a state of uncertainty as they grapple with a “lack of official communication”, while fearing for their businesses and the livelihoods of their employees. Following the fire at Rituraj Hotel in Burrabazar that killed 14 people on April 29, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) had ordered the immediate closure of all rooftop eateries in the city. However, in the “absence” of official notices,  several restaurants claim they are still operating while adhering to all safety rules and regulations. Story continues below this ad The closure announcement was made verbally by Mayor Fir...

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5May By source belowNo Comments

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Two persons dead after four of them travel on same motorcycle without helmets, hit wall

Early on Monday morning, two persons died in an accident at the Ultadanga flyover, while two more were admitted to hospital in a critical condition, after the motorcycle they were all on hit a wall. Police said the four persons were also travelling without wearing helmets. They were travelling from Kolkata to the Lake Town area when the driver lost control. Police arrived and took the four to hospital, while two of them succumbed on the way. Police said that the accident, which occurred around 5 am, was likely caused by the high speed of the motorcycle, based on a preliminary investigation. A senior police officer said, “That time, the flyover’s traffic was almost nil. We repeatedly alert drivers not to speed up early in the morning because during this time, uncontrolled speed causes accid...

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1May By source belowNo Comments

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Kolkata Hotel Fire: ‘We stood on hotel parapet for an hour, but it seemed endless’

For Akash Agarwal and his wife, it was a narrow escape. The Agarwal family, comprising Akash and his wife and their two children and a nephew, was visiting from Odisha, and waiting to check out of Rituraj Hotel in Burrabazar area of Kolkata on Tuesday evening when fire broke out. “My children and nephew were waiting downstairs with luggage, while my wife and I went upstairs to bring the remaining luggage downstairs, when suddenly the fire broke out. My wife and I got stuck in the room, and the smoke started to fill the room. We had no other way than to get out through the window. Luckily, the window had no iron grill. So, we broke the window and stepped out on the parapet. We were standing on the parapet for close to an hour, but it seemed an endless wait for the fire officials to come,” s...

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1May By source belowNo Comments

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Kolkata Hotel Fire: SIT to probe; PM Modi announces ex gratia

The West Bengal government ordered a probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Kolkata Police into the fire. “An SIT has been formed to probe the cause of the fire and to check the safety measures that were in place. The investigation will also look into the difficulties faced by the guests while evacuating from the building,” Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma told reporters on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for each of the injured. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: “My heart goes out to the victims of the fire incident. I monitored the rescue and fire fight operations throughout the night. Investigation has been...

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1May By source belowNo Comments

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BJP’s Dilip Ghosh springs surprise, attends Digha temple opening: “CM contributing to Hindu awakening’

Taking many by surprise and even a section of his party leaders, senior BJP leader and former state unit chief Dilip Ghosh on Wednesday evening reached Digha to attend the inauguration of Jagannath Dham, a project close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.Ghosh, who was accompanied by his newly wed wife Rinku Majumdar, also met the TMC supremo on the sidelines of the event. While the TMC government had also invited state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, the two BJP leaders chose to skip the event. Story continues below this ad At the temple, Ghosh and his wife were welcomed by TMC minister Aroop Biswas, who he described as a friend. On meeting Mamata, Ghosh noted a “Hindu awakening” in the chief minister’s recent activiti...

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1May By source belowNo Comments

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Digha’s Jagannath Dham opens, Mamata prays for ‘global peace’

A wave of spiritual fervor swept across the seaside town of Digha on Wednesday, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the newly built Jagannath Dham, a replica of the iconic Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri, on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Trithiya.Located around 350 kilometres from the Puri Temple, the newly constructed Jagannath Dham in Digha is built on a sprawling 24-acre plot, with an investment of nearly Rs 250 crore. The temple’s consecration ceremony unfolded amid religious rituals and cultural performances, while sanctified water from various revered pilgrimage sites across the country was brought to Digha for rituals and the anointing of the deities involved 108 diverse materials. Following this, the devotees got their first glimpse of Lord Jagannath, enshrined with...

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30Apr By source belowNo Comments

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At least 14 dead in Kolkata hotel fire, SIT formed to probe cause

Kolkata Hotel Fire Today: A fire that tore through a six-story hotel in one of Kolkata’s oldest and most congested neighbourhoods killed at least 15 people on Tuesday night, according to local authorities. Most of the victims died from suffocation, while one person died after falling from the building as he attempted to escape the blaze. “14 casualties have been reported so far. An SIT has been formed to probe the cause of the fire and to check the safety measures that were in place. The investigation will also look into the difficulties faced by the guests while evacuating from the building,” Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma told reporters. The fire broke out around 7:30 pm at the Rituraj Hotel, located on Madanmohan Street in the city’s Burrabazar area. Ten fire engines were...

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30Apr By source belowNo Comments

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Digha Jagannath temple to open today, CM Mamata Banerjee says: ‘All our guests’

ARRANGEMENTS WERE made for the ‘Maha Yajna’ on Tuesday evening at the newly built Jagannath temple in the seaside tourist town of Digha in Purba Medinipur, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took part in the rituals a day before its inauguration. Banerjee emphasised that “everyone is our guest.” The Jagannath temple, a replica of the 12th-century shrine in Puri, Odisha, will be inaugurated on Wednesday on the auspicious occasion of ‘Akshaya Trithiya’. Digha is around 350 km from Puri. The massive event, drawing parallels to the Ram Temple consecration in Ayodhya last year, has been interpreted by some as a significant effort by Chief Minister Banerjee to solidify her image as a leader who embraces all communities, addressing previous allegations of minority appeasement. Story continue...

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30Apr By source belowNo Comments

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1 killed as fire breaks out at Kolkata hotel

ONE PERSON was killed and several were injured after a major fire broke out at a six-storied hotel building in the densely populated Burrabazar area in Kolkata, police said on Tuesday. The cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained, fire brigade officials said. Ten fire engines were pressed into service to douse the fire and operations were underway on the premises of Rituraj Hotel till late evening on Tuesday. Sources at the Kolkata Medical College identified the deceased as Sanjoy Paswan, who was among those staying at the hotel and was brought dead to the hospital. Police are looking into the possibility that he may have jumped from the building as the fire broke out and fell to his death, sources said. Story continues below this ad As the fire was detected, some peopl...

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29Apr By source belowNo Comments

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Sikkim landslide | All tourists safely evacuated, Lachung to open for tourists from today: Officials

ALL THE tourists – a large number of whom were stranded after a landslide in northern Sikkim due to heavy rain in the region – have now been safely evacuated and there are no casualties, officials said on Tuesday. The tourists had been stranded for one night (Thursday) but rescue operations began at the earliest, the officials said. Former chairman Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation Lukendra Rasaily said, “Two days ago, all the people were evacuated and no casualties have been reported. The Sikkim Police are taking care of everything and the Border Road  Organisation (BRO) are working on clearing the roads. Lachung will open for  tourists from Wednesday.” Story continues below this ad Samrat Sanyal, secretary, Himalayan Hospitality and tourism development network, told...

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29Apr By source belowNo Comments

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Digha’s Jagannath temple: Residents pin hopes on religious tourism, economic opportunities

The coastal town of Digha in West Bengal, a long-time favourite for beachgoers, has a new attraction to draw attention: Jagannath Dham. The development has sparked a mix of hope and apprehension among local vendors. Tapan Jana, a 48-year-old lottery seller whose small stand sits just outside the Jagannath Dham administrative building, is optimistic. He hopes the anticipated surge in tourism, fueled by the new temple, will boost his daily sales, which currently average around ten lottery tickets. He previously worked at a hotel on the beach before venturing into lottery sales. Sangita Talukdar, a resident, echoed the sentiment that Jagannath Dham could transform Digha’s appeal. “Digha only had the beach, and that was its sole attraction. With this Jagannath Dham, it’s giving off a Puri vibe...

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