Kolkata Police have announced a set of temporary traffic measures ahead of New Year celebrations to manage crowds and ensure public safety across the city. The restrictions focus on limiting the movement of heavy goods vehicles on major thoroughfares on the night of 31 December and into 1 January, with additional controls later in the day where large gatherings are expected.
Kolkata traffic restrictions
The traffic plan will be implemented in phases. From 4pm on 31 December until 4.30am on 1 January, the entry and movement of heavy goods vehicles will be prohibited on a number of key roads. The police have also imposed a second phase of restrictions on 1 January, prohibiting heavy vehicles bound for the Maidan area from 4pm until midnight.
Among the junctions and stretches affected are AJ C Bose Road and Chaurangi Road crossing (northbound), AJ C Bose Road, Harish Mukherjee Road and Cathedral Road crossing (northbound), AJ C Bose Road and Hospital Road crossing, Strand Road and Goshtopala Sarani (eastbound), Strand Road and Auckland Road crossing (eastbound), Red Road and Mayo Road crossing, Mayo Road and Dufferin Road crossing, Cathedral Road and Queens Way crossing, Shakespeare Sarani, Esplanade crossing (southbound), Government Place East, RR Avenue and the Esplanade ramp to the Second Hooghly Bridge. The police notice lists these locations to limit congestion around major public gathering points.
Alternative routes for affected vehicles include AJ C Bose Road, St George’s Gate Road, Strand Road and APC Road. Motorists are advised to follow the direction of traffic officers and use the designated alternatives to avoid delays.
In addition to heavy vehicle bans, one-way systems, no-entry restrictions, no-right-turn orders and parking prohibitions will be enforced on Park Street, Shakespeare Sarani, Camac Street, Russell Street, Middleton Street, Little Russell Street and surrounding roads. The traffic police reserve the right to alter routes and impose further restrictions if circumstances require.
A specific restriction on Kashipur Road will bar movement between Khagen Chatterjee Road crossing and Gopal Chatterjee Road crossing from 4am to 4pm, except for vehicles displaying the Udyan Bati sticker. The aim is to keep certain stretches clear during times when pedestrian movement is likely to be heavy.
Exemptions have been made for vehicles providing essential services. Those carrying LPG cylinders, CNG, petrol, petroleum products, milk, medicines, oxygen, fruits, vegetables, fish and other essential supplies will be permitted. Small goods vehicles weighing less than 1600 kilograms are also exempted from the heavy vehicle ban.
The police appealed to residents and visitors to cooperate and follow traffic regulations so the New Year and associated festivities proceed peacefully and smoothly. Motorists are urged to plan journeys in advance, heed signboards and directions from officers on duty, and avoid areas where restrictions are in force.
This notice forms part of routine crowd and traffic management measures deployed around major public events. Authorities said the measures are temporary and designed to protect public safety while allowing emergency and essential services to continue operating.
Disclaimer: This is an automated news feed from Prabhat Khabar and has not been edited by the PrabhatKhabar.com team.
Key Takeaways:
- Kolkata traffic restrictions will ban heavy goods vehicles on several central routes during New Year to manage expected crowds.
- Restrictions apply in phases with specified timings and alternative routes provided by police.
- Exemptions include essential services such as LPG, fuel, medical supplies, milk and small goods vehicles under 1600 kg.
- One-way rules, no-entry and parking bans will be enforced on central streets and police may alter routes if necessary.
