The Trinamul-run board in Siliguri Municipal Corporation is gearing up for the celebrations during the upcoming Durga Puja.

City mayor Gautam Deb said on Wednesday that they would host a carnival, play the Mahisasuramardini on Mahalaya through public address systems and run tourist assistance booths. He discussed the plans with councillors and civic body officials on Wednesday.

The carnival will be held at the Mahatma Gandhi More on Hill Cart Road on October 26.

“Eight major Puja organisers have confirmed their participation in the carnival. We expect another four clubs to join. Cultural troupes of Siliguri and the hills will join the carnival,” said Deb.

Sources in the SMC said that participants of the carnival would assemble at Baghajatin Park. They will then take the procession through Kutcheri Road, Hashmi Chowk and Sevoke More to reach Mahatma Gandhi More. There, participants will perform.

“The four-hour event will end by 10pm,” the source added.

The civic body has also made arrangements to play the Mahisasuramardini on Mahalaya or October 14.

“It will be played through the public address system in 55 locations of the civic area, including all major thoroughfares,” said the mayor.

Arrangements have been made by the SMC at the ghats of the Mahananda river so that people can carry out their Mahalaya rituals.

During the festive season, the civic body will set up help desks for tourists at key transit points like the New Jalpaiguri railway station, Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus, among others.