- Police use loudhailers to discipline pedestrians along VIP Road
- Buses are not allowed to stop except at designated places
- No jaywalking is allowed along VIP Road
- Police commissioner inspects evening arrangements
Police on Wednesday tried various ways to keep traffic moving on VIP Road but looked overwhelmed at times on Chaturthi evening by the sheer number of people and cars.
Officers of the Bidhannagar police made repeated announcements to ensure that pedestrians did not cross the road except at designated crossovers. “The only way to keep traffic moving on VIP road is to ensure that there is no jaywalking and pedestrians do not spill on the carriageway,” said an officer.
The police have already taken buses off the main road and are diverting them through the service lanes.
On Wednesday, the cops were seen using lathis and whistles to chase buses that were trying to pick up passengers from spots where they were not supposed to stop.
Since Tuesday, the police have been diverting buses moving towards Ultadanga from the direction of the airport through Jessore Road.
Buses headed towards EM Bypass are being channelled through service roads along VIP Road.
This part of the city witnesses its worst traffic snarls during Durga Puja as thousands of pandal-hoppers descend on the Sreebhumi Sporting Club Durga Puja pandal, which is located off a narrow eight-foot road.
Many who live in the neighbourhood complain of great inconvenience during the festival season as vehicles are diverted or stuck in snarls on a daily basis till the Puja is over.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had asked police to ensure that traffic on VIP Road was not disrupted.
Bidhannagar police commissioner Gaurav Sharma inspected VIP Road on Wednesday evening.
Many who travelled through the stretch said traffic around the Sreebhumi puja was a “little better” on Wednesday compared to what it was for the past few days.
Traffic, however, slowed down as the evening descended and thousands of cars started heading for the Sreebhumi puja.
An officer said a huge section of the total force deployed for Durga Puja is engaged to manage traffic on VIP Road.