A popular Durga Puja pandal hosted by Jairam Youth Sporting Club at Adityapur has decided to issue online e-passes to visitors this year to prevent a rush, due to the coronavirus pandemic that is set to celebrations to be held this year into a low-key affair.

Former Ichagarh legislator Arvind Singh, who is also a club patron told The Telegraph Online that the organising body of the puja had discussed this issue.

"The nitty-gritties of issuing e-passes will be finalised soon," former Ichagarh legislator Arvind Singh, who is also a club patron told The Telegraph Online, adding that the puja will not be a big-budget affair.

The idol of Goddess Durga at Jairam Youth Sporting Club in Adityapur last year Bhola Prasad

Social distancing norms and all other Covid protocols suggested by the Ministry of Home Affairs will be strictly followed during the five days of festivity.

Singh said the pandal will be simple and no artisans are coming from outside the state this year.

The club is known for its lighting decorations and private electrical agencies are hired from Howrah and other places of Bengal for elaborate illumination work along the 2km Tata-Kandra Road stretch starting from the Adityapur bridge.

Pandal hoppers in large numbers gather every year from Jamshedpur and neighbouring districts panchami onwards to get a glimpse of the artwork.

Jamshedpur Durga Puja Kendriya Samiti (JDPKS) general secretary Ram Babu Singh said the club has also sought permission to make the idol of Goddess Durga beyond a height of 5ft.

The apex body, which monitors the Puja, had earlier restricted the height of idols to 5 feet for facilitating smooth immersion with a limited number of people.