The Sanhati Yatra (interfaith rally) to be led by chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday may disrupt traffic on the first working day of the week.
Other rallies planned in various parts of the city on the occasion of consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya on Monday may only add to the traffic chaos, police said.
The Telegraph has drawn up a list of some of the rallies and programmes scheduled for Monday.
What
Trinamul Congress supremo and chief minister Mamata Banerjee will lead Sanhati Yatra, which will wind its way through some of the major thoroughfares of the city, to promote peace and religious harmony.
Where
The BJP will celebrate the consecration ceremony by organising multiple rallies and performing puja across the city.
- The interfaith march, to be led by the chief minister, will start from the Hazra crossing around 3pm. It will pass through Ballygunge Phari and reach Park Circus later in the afternoon.
- A BJP rally will start from the Baikuntha Nath temple in Jorasanko at 9am. It will culminate at Ram Mandir on Chittaranjan Avenue.
- BJP supporters are likely to hold a meeting in front of Purna cinema in Bhowanipore around 4.30pm.
- BJP supporters are likely to organise live telecast of the consecration ceremony at Jadavpur’s Palbazar from 11am.
- A BJP programme will be held on Sashibhusan Dey Street in the Bowbazar area.
- Another BJP programme will be held on Muktaram Babu Street, off Burrabazar, from 9am to 3pm.
Traffic caution
Police said traffic may be affected at the Hazra crossing, Ballygunge Circular Road, Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Park Circus, Chittaranjan Avenue, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road, MG Road and Mukta Ram Babu Street.
“We are not ruling out the possibility of unscheduled processions, which can disrupt traffic at any point of time. We will try to ensure smooth flow of vehicles by effecting road diversions as and when required,” said a senior officer in the traffic department.
Police arrangement
The police have not declared any road restrictions. Officers said they will decide on traffic diversions based on the situation.
“As some of the rallies will pass through thoroughfares, we will try to keep parallel roads such as AJC Bose Road, APC Road and Strand Road free,” said an officer in the traffic department.
Sources in Lalbazar said officers have been asked to remain alert to handle any traffic disruptions. A senior police officer said there would be adequate officers to ensure that no roads are completely blocked because of rallies.