Kolkata: The multiplier effect generated by the four-day Durga Puja festival in West Bengal could touch Rs 40,000 crore by the year 2015, industry body Assocham said yesterday.
Presently, the current size of the Durga Puja industry is Rs 25,000 crore.
In a paper prepared by Assocham, “West Bengal Cashing In On Durga Puja Celebrations”, it was stated that the cost of organising the puja increased by as much as over 30 per cent compared to last year due to hike in the cost of materials used.
The pandal industry is expected to touch Rs 500 crore in 2013 from Rs 350 crore in 2012, with the growth of 35 per cent this year.
“About 10,000 Durga Puja pandals are being organised every year. The average expenditure of organisers is expected to go up by 20 per cent this year owing to surging inflation,” according to the paper.
