Kolkata: Cops brace for revellers’ car rush on Puja days

KOLKATA: Early Puja trends have led cops to believe that there could be more people on the road in their personal vehicles — four-wheelers and bikes — this year than it was initially estimated.

“Pandal-hoppers might try to drive in as close to the pandal as possible to ensure physical distancing. Some may not even try to watch pandals and idols on the move,” senior traffic cops warned their subordinates on Saturday during a Puja meeting.Commissioner Anuj Sharma, who was present in the meeting, reminded his colleagues that they needed to take good care of themselves in order to protect others. In an open letter to his colleagues written in Bengali, Sharma asked his colleagues to wear face shields, N-95 masks, armlets and carry sanitizers and they maintain distance. Sharma has asked all DCPs to monitor the distribution of these items to each cop on duty.
Keeping the ground conditions in mind — Tritiya to Shasthi will be working days — the cops have declared that road restrictions will come into effect as early as 4pm on Tritiya. “A few pandals have already opened. Most will be opened by Tritiya. So we need enforce restrictions,” said an ACP.
In an important decision, the police are changing the movement on the Lockgate flyover from south to north all through the day. This will be enforced from Saptami. Police have also brought certain changes in the crowd circulation plans at some of the biggest puja blocks. At Chetla Agrani, for example, the exit has been relocated towards its entrance so that crowd can be further channelized towards Gobinda Auddy Road. Similarly, Surya Sen Street and Kaizer Street will see cops diverting the crowd back towards CR Avenue and Vivekananda Road after Santosh Mitra Square declared that no outsiders will be allowed entry.
Cops have some contingency plans for Rashbehari Crossing, which is considered the single-most important point during Durga Puja in traffic parlance. “In case of any emergent situation, like overcrowding or serious congestion along Rashbehari Avenue connector, the one-way system along Ballygunge Place and Swinhoe Street will be implemented.