The house is a ship and the terrace its deck, says one of the many posters at a community puja in Kasba’s Haltu.

The message: spend time with your family members on the deck of the ship, there is no need to crowd pandals.

Purbachal Shakti Sangha is one of 50 pujas in Calcutta that have come together to campaign for the safety measures needed in the festive season amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Paray Paray Covid Asur Badh, an initiative by 91.9 Friends FM, saw all participating pujas come together for a Zoom session on Sunday morning — where they showcased the safety and awareness measures undertaken at the pandals through slogans, wall paintings, street arts and similar tools to make this a “Puja with a difference”.

The session was streamed live from the Facebook page of the radio station.

At Shyampukur Adi Sarbojonin, a graffiti on a wall showed the goddess, her face behind a mask, and her hands carrying sanitiser, a thermal gun and other weapons to combat Covid-19. There was a slogan accompanying the painting: “No mask, no entry”.

Almost all clubs showed how circles had been drawn on the roads leading to the pandals so visitors could maintain distance among themselves. Masks, sanitisers and thermal guns were also in place at the pujas.

An artwork at Jagat Mukherjee Park, made with acrylic on a canvas of wood and clothes depicts Durga sanitising her hands Telegraph picture

Doctors and public health experts have expressed fears of a surge in the Covid-19 numbers during and after the festive season. They have repeatedly urged caution and restraint on the part of revellers.

The state clinical establishment regulatory commission has asked all private hospitals to increase the number of beds for Covid patients and not refuse any patient.

On September 25, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had laid out the plan for Durga Puja 2020, issuing guidelines from inauguration to immersion.

The directives, issued keeping the spread of Covid-19 in mind, include spacious pandals, low-key inaugurations, pandal-hopping between Tritiya and Ekadashi and staggered timings for anjali and sindoor khela.

“This year, 91.9 Friends FM has come up with a project called Covid Asur Mardini where the demon to be slayed is the Covid-19 virus. The pujas in Calcutta have made this a mass movement to ensure that everyone comes together to enjoy the festive spirit with all the safety and precautions,” said Jimmy Tangree, the station head of 91.9 Friends FM.

White circles drawn on a road leading to Mudiali Club that will help pandal-hoppers maintain safe distance from each other Telegraph picture

Sunday’s virtual session turned out to be a festival in itself — a collage of innovative posters, placards and paintings.

Tikiapara Sarbojonin in Maniktala showcased a canvas inspired by Madhubani paintings. The canvas had 10 Covid-related messages, each accompanied by a weapon used by the goddess.

Jagat Mukherjee Park in Sovabazar displayed a unique canvas — acrylic on wood and cloth. A painting showed the masked goddess washing her hands at a basin. She looks into a mirror and the reflection shows her unmasked face.

“The image offers a peek into our actual self. But in reality, there is no place for complacency and a mask should always be worn. Even the goddess sets an example,” said an organiser.

At Mudiali Club, the organisers spoke of ensuring the safety of the artisans and workers. “A puja is not only about the organisers and revellers. The workers who are behind all of this — their safety and well-being are also paramount,” said an organiser.

Metro trains

Metro Railway will run 156 trains daily from Monday to Saturday, starting October 19. The number is now 146. Starting next Monday, the last trains will leave Dum Dum and Kavi Subhash (New Garia) at 9pm, instead of 8.30pm. The last train from Noapara will leave at 8.55pm.