Which are the smoothest routes to reach the top pandals? Are there any new diversions or one-way rules in place? Which would be the best route to your favourite restaurant? Where to park the car? These are some of the questions on the minds of pandal-hoppers every Puja.
Kolkata Traffic Police puts in place a string of measures every Puja to facilitate updates on road closures and diversions, helpline numbers, additional parking facilities etc.
My Kolkata spoke to Alok Sanyal, assistant commissioner of police, Kolkata Traffic Police, on the plans to make Kolkata’s biggest and grandest festival smooth and safe for everyone.
General measures
In a recent notification by the Kolkata Police, information about road closures and vehicle movement has been issued from October 17 to 24. Below are some of the pointers from the notice:
- All types of vehicles carrying goods shall be prohibited within Kolkata from October 17-27 at specific timings
- Emergency vehicles, Port-originated / Port-bound goods vehicles, light goods vehicles, goods vehicles having gross vehicle weight not exceeding 1,600kg will be allowed at specific timings
- Various roads around puja pandals will be closed or regulated for vehicular movement, except for property line vehicles
- Additionally, Kolkata Traffic Police maybe regulate vehicular and pedestrian traffic as and when required
- Police patrolling will be carried out at night to regulate any kind of unruly and unlawful activities
- Police kiosks to be installed at various places to help public in distress
- Signboards and maps to be provided at various points near puja pandals to help pandal hoppers reach destinations
- More CCTV cameras to be installed for better surveillance
- Better illumination at entry and exit points of big-ticket pandals have been suggested by police to puja committees
- Additional police personnels and volunteers to be deployed on streets
- Strict actions will taken and penalties will be levied for those who break traffic rules
- No leniency will be shown to rash driving, drinking and driving, driving/riding with seat belt/helmet
Note: Please refer to the detailed traffic notification for specific timings and list of roads to be regulated/closed. Download from here.
Parking facilities
Most people dread taking out their vehicles during Durga Puja as there is always a dearth for parking spaces near the pandals.
According to ACP Sanyal, several clusters have been identified where 3-4 puja pandals pull crowds. Parking facilities have been provided likewise. “We have allotted bulk parking facilities in a walking distance to big puja pandals. For example, if someone is coming to see Behala Nutan Dal, Barisha Friends Club and Debaru Phata, we have assigned a parking space on Diamond Harbour Road near Behala Bazar. This will help us manage traffic and also these pujas will be within walking distance.”
These parking areas will be marked in the maps provided by Kolkata Traffic Police and also road signs will lead the public towards them.
Helplines
Any citizen or visitor in distress can reach out for immediate help on 100 or 1073. “If you are in any kind of trouble immediately dial the helpline numbers. Help will reach you in 1-2 minutes after you call up the helpline numbers. You can also reach out to any police official in the nearby kiosks,” said the ACP (traffic).
Other Numbers of Traffic Control Room
98300-10000, 98308-11111, 99035-88888 (Whatsapp only)
2214-1457, 2250-5096, 2214-3644, 2242-7248.
Social media accounts/handles
Complaints or grievances can also be notified via Facebook and Twitter to the official pages of Kolkata Traffic Police.
Facebook- Kolkata Traffic Police
Twitter- @KPTrafficDept
E-mail ID
Website
Any information one can visit the website of the traffic department of Kolkata Police.
https://www.kolkatatrafficpolice.gov.in/helpline.html
Pujo application
Bidhannagar City Police have launched their app to provide guide maps, emergency contacts of nearest pandals with address and contact details, nearest police stations, hospitals, pharmacies etc.
You can download the app from here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bidhannagarpolice.drugapujaapp
It is very similar to the Utsav app launched last year by Kolkata Police which is not yet available in the current year. However, the Durga Puja Guide Map by Kolkata Police was launched on Tuesday and can be downloaded from here.
Message for the public
“Kolkata Police and Kolkata Traffic Police always try to adapt modern ways to assist the people. Last year, we had public digital display boards that showed the number of real-time footfall in big pujas. This time, we had help desks at shopping hubs like New Market to assist people who were coming from all parts of Bengal,” said the ACP.
Since this time there’s no pandemic, the government expects more people to be in Kolkata during the Puja days. People from other states of India and foreigners are also expected to turn up given Durga Puja's world-wide recognition of Unesco’s tag.
“I would like to tell everyone through My Kolkata to enjoy the festival responsibly. Make sure you follow rules and regulations. Do consider the safety of your loved ones and others. To every elderly person, I would like to ask you to advise your children, grandchildren and other youngsters to make sure they avoid drinking and driving and rash driving. We must always remember that our merriment should not pose a threat to life. For other things, we are there to ensure your safety,” signed off ACP Alok Sanyal, Kolkata Traffic Police.