Durga Puja means late-night pandal hopping for millions of people in Kolkata, but the festive rush also brings some of the city’s toughest traffic restrictions of the year. With crowds expected across north, central and south Kolkata, the police have prepared an extensive traffic plan covering road closures, diversions, one-way routes and restrictions on goods vehicles.
The arrangements begin around Mahalaya and continue through the Puja days and immersion period. Several roads will become pedestrian-only zones during peak hours, while bus and auto routes will also be changed in some parts of the city.
Mahalaya brings the first major restrictions
Special traffic arrangements will be in place on Mahalaya, October 10, particularly around the Ganga ghats as large numbers of people are expected to arrive for bathing and tarpan.
Heavy goods vehicles will not be allowed within the Kolkata Police jurisdiction from 3am to 10pm. Vehicles carrying essential supplies such as LPG, oxygen, medicines, milk, vegetables, fruits and fish will be exempt from the restriction.
There will also be restrictions around Strand Road and St George’s Gate Road. Auckland Road will be closed during the specified period, while traffic at several northern crossings will be regulated.
Commuters heading towards central Kolkata should therefore expect diversions, especially around the riverfront and roads connecting the major ghats.
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Puja days bring pedestrian zones and one-way roads
From Tritiya on October 13 to Navami on October 19, traffic restrictions will become more extensive. Goods vehicles will face restrictions during different time windows on each Puja day, with the curbs extending into the early hours of the following morning. Essential-service vehicles will continue to receive exemptions.
The biggest change for pandal hoppers will be the creation of pedestrian zones. From the afternoon onwards, several roads near major Puja destinations will be closed to regular vehicular traffic, allowing people to move on foot.
In north Kolkata, restrictions will affect roads including B.K. Paul Avenue, Arvind Sarani, Garpar Road, Kailash Bose Street and North Sealdah Road. Central Kolkata will see restrictions around areas such as Akhuru Dutta Lane, Kalutola Street, Dixon Lane and Muktaram Babu Street.
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Several roads in south and south-east Kolkata will also be affected, including stretches around Dover Lane, Ekdalia, Kalighat, Lake Road, Deshapriya Park and Tilak Road.
One-way systems will also be introduced on several important roads. Rabindra Sarani, Bidhan Sarani and Raja Rammohan Roy Sarani are among the routes where traffic movement will be regulated in specific directions. Tram services on some stretches will also be curtailed.
South Kolkata traffic and public transport changes
Those planning to visit popular Puja destinations in south Kolkata will need to be particularly careful about route changes. Park Street and Shakespeare Sarani will have one-way arrangements during specified hours, while restrictions will also affect areas around Gariahat, Rashbehari and Kalighat.
Traffic approaching Gariahat from Rashbehari Avenue will face restrictions, with vehicles directed towards the Gariahat flyover instead. Auto-rickshaw movement will also be restricted on parts of Rashbehari Avenue and connecting roads.
The police have additionally planned diversions for several bus routes to keep vehicles away from the busiest pandal zones. Routes including 37, 47, 47A, 240, 13C, 234, 33 and 204/1 will be affected by changes.
For those planning to spend the night pandal hopping, the safest option will be to check the route restrictions before leaving home and avoid taking a car into the busiest Puja neighbourhoods. With several stretches reserved for pedestrians, using public transport and walking between nearby pandals may be more convenient than attempting to drive through the festival crowds.