Although the authorities had arranged for multiple parking spots around the fairground, many cars still spilled on to the lanes. “We’ve come from Domjur,” said driver Raj Chakraborty, who had ferried his employers to the fair on Sunday afternoon. “I tried parking at the large DJ Block plot but it was full. The cops directed me to a CJ Block plot but this was full too,” said the man who then parked on the lane outside this plot. “But this isn't free. I'll have to pay to park here too.”
Cars at the parking lot on a DJ Block plot. Brinda Sarkar
Assistant sub-inspector of Bidhannagar Commissionerate, Ripan Sarkar, said parking space would not be a problem in a multi-lane township like Salt Lake. “The DJ Block plot holds about 500 cars and 300 bikes, besides smaller plots nearby. Footfall peaks on weekends but since the government offices are closed then, we are using up their parking lots too. Bikash Bhavan, Purta Bhavan, Jalasampad Bhavan are all home to booklovers’ cars on weekends,” he said. “If they fill up too, we are using service lanes in and around the area.”
Gitanjali Fee Car Parking was the agency in charge. “The large DJ Block plot fills up by 4.30pm on weekends and then cars are sent to smaller plots like the one I’m manning at CJ Block. This has space for 50 cars,” said parking attendant Botu Bose. “On weekdays, we barely get five to 10 cars here but on weekends we are packed between 4.30 and 7pm.”
Residents felt the congestion was a small price to pay in exchange for having the beloved book fair at walking distance. “I’m not too bothered by cars parking in my lane. If anything, the parking lot is blowing dust into my house,” said Sabyasachi Ghosh of CJ Block, who lives opposite the DJ Block plot. “We are having to keep doors and windows shut all day. I'm a little concerned about security too as so many outsiders are coming.”
Autos and rickshaws are being diverted away from the fair and they are not amused. “We have been ousted from our usual stands at Karunamoyee and are having to pick up and drop passengers off at Tank 9, which is quite a distance to walk, especially for the elderly,” said an auto driver, asking not to be quoted. “On Saturday evening, an elderly lady fell on the footpath in trying to reach my auto. I had to run and help her up.”
Rickshaw drivers are upset at being denied entry too. “Hardly anyone is coming to the fair by rickshaw as they would anyway have to walk a great distance to reach the gate from the drop-off point. They are all coming by car. We lost out when the Bidhannagar Mela (Utsav) got cancelled this year and now despite the Book Fair happening, we can’t reap its benefits,” grumbled Uttam Bera, waiting for passengers in CG Block.