Nikhil, who is from Kalighat patuapara, is not the only artisan facing this problem. In the run-up to Durga Puja, several idol-makers have been facing an acute labour shortage, because of which they fear a scramble to finish idols on time. Rising prices are another factor to contend with.

Sibsankar Basu, one of the main organisers of the Maddox Square Puja, had called up Nikhil like every year to order the idol. “I called him up on the day of Rathyatra, as usual,” said Basu. “But he told me he didn’t have enough hands to take up such a big order.” A reluctant Basu placed the order with another artisan, Kamal Pal, and his son Karun.

Paul said he didn’t have an option but to refuse the Maddox Square organisers. “I have half the number of labourers that I usually have each year. As a result, I haven’t been able to take up as many orders that I normally do,” he said.

Karun is also facing labour problems. “We are paying more than last year but are still seven labourers short,” he said. “Last year, we made 55 idols. This year, we have accepted orders for only 35 idols. I don’t think we’ll manage to take any more orders.”

Idol-maker and president of Kumartuli Mritsilpa Sanskriti Samiti, Nemai Chandra Pal, has already refused nine orders — not because he had too many orders to cope with, but because he has too few hands. “This time last year, I had seven labourers to help me. This time, I have only two,” said the veteran artisan.

The samiti’s joint secretary, Babu Pal, has only accepted 27 orders this year, though he usually makes 33 idols a year. “I am not sure whether I’ll be able to deliver the idols on time if I take up any more orders,” he said. “Every year, around 33,000 labourers come to Kumartuli before Puja. This year, only about 28,000 have arrived. The shortage of 5,000 people has caused serious problems for us this year.”

“Fewer labourers have arrived in Kumartuli this year because of two factors — the 100-day job scheme under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), and more economic activity in Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh, which is allowing workers from these states to earn from home,” said Sudhanshu Sil of the Kumartuli Bachao Committee.

Bhajan Nag, a longtime resident of Kumartuli, said working on idols was a good option till a few years ago for labourers from the districts. Each used to get two square meals a day and Rs 125 for working from dawn to dusk. “But now, they are getting around Rs 100 per day in their own villages for four-five hours of labour. Where is the incentive for them to come here?” he asked.

Thanks to the shortage, labour rates, too, have shot up at Kumartuli. “This time last year, I had been paying Rs 250 per day to each of my labourers. This year, I am paying them Rs 650 per day,” said idol-maker Dilip Pal. The rates are expected to go up further as the Puja approaches.

Business has taken a serious hit this year. Not only are the idol-makers being forced to take fewer orders, the organisers, too, are unwilling to pay more for idols. “Whereas I earned a profit of Rs 3,000-4,000 last year per idol, this year the figure will be only around Rs 1,000,” said Karun.

Apart from the artisans, the small-budget Pujas will be the worst sufferers, for they will be forced to buy idols at a premium. “According to my estimates, production this year at Kumartuli will be 25 per cent less than average,” said Nemai Chandra Pal.