The festival of colours will be celebrated on Monday, making the weekend longer.
At the Holi Bazar in Burrabazar, colourful masks and elaborate headgear sold briskly. As did sweets — barfis, gujiyas and laddus — and salty savouries.
Before saying Holi Hai, here is what you need to know
Right to refuse
Soak in colours as much as you want but respect others’ right to say no. The following are banned:
- Sprinkling colours on someone unwilling to play Holi
- Touching someone inappropriately while playing Holi
- Throwing colours from windows or terraces
- Throwing balloons filled with coloured water on people without their consent
Seek help
If someone forcibly tries to play Holi, stalks you on a bike, makes a lewd comment or gesture or if you face any other harassment on Holi, immediately call the emergency Kolkata Police helplines — 100 and 22143230. The Bidhannagar commissionerate helpline — for people in Salt Lake, Lake Town and surrounding areas — is 033-23358788.
Roads
Senior police officers said “elaborate arrangements” have been made to secure the roads. The cops will undertake special drives to curb drink and reckless driving.
They will also look out for those riding bikes without helmets.
Transport
App cab operators said they would keep their services normal. But expect fewer cars and brace for a surge in fares. There will be a few metered taxis till afternoon, after which their count will increase.
Buses are expected to ply early in the morning and again from late afternoon on Monday.
Metro Railway will run 60 trains on Monday. The services will start at 2.30pm, instead of 6.50am. The last trains will leave at the usual time — Dum Dum and New Garia at 9.40pm and Dakshineswar at 9.28pm, said an official.
On the Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section of East-West Metro (Green Line), 42 trains will run from 3pm. The last trains will leave the terminal stations at 8pm.
On the Sealdah-Sector V stretch of the east-west corridor, there will be 22 trains. The first and last trains will leave at 3pm and 8pm. There will be no service in the New Garia-Ruby and Joka-Majerhat sections.
Alcohol restrictions
Monday will be a dry day till 2pm. Bars are expected to serve liquor after 2pm but off-shops are unlikely to open before evening.
Alcohol can be ordered online after 2pm, but since many shops might not open at all, there could be trouble finding your poison.
Malls, restaurants
Malls will open in the evening. Restaurants, bars and plexes at the malls will also open at the same time. South City will open at 4.30pm. Quest opens at 4pm and Acropolis at 5pm. City Centre 1 and 2 open at 4pm. Most restaurants, other than those in malls, should open for lunch.
Weather
Expect a hot and sunny day. Thunderstorms are not ruled out in the evening.