Office-time traffic hit in central, South Kolkata due to Republic Day rehersal

KOLKATA: Roads across south and central Kolkata — especially in Alipore, Bhowanipore, Park Street and Esplanade — felt traffic rush on Monday morning due to the full dress rehearsal for Republic Day. Traffic cops said that the rehearsal took place during office hours and traffic movement was allowed on the Red Road and its surrounding only after 11.30am.
Just when traffic cops tried using the Alipore Road -Belvedere Road to redirect traffic, the escalation of political tension outside the Alipore Zoo main gate added to the pressure.The pressure on DL Khan Road and SP Mukherjee Road and finally JL Nehru Road increased manifold as all other parallel roads were unable to take the pressure.

Police said they had plans in place to tackle traffic diversions but the sudden agitation outside zoo caused an upset. “Despite less traffic these are roads where even a five minute disruption can upset regular movements,” said an officer at Lalbazar.
The cops also announced traffic plans for Republic Day. Red Road will be closed for all vehicular movement from 10pm on Tuesday till the parade is over. Guru Nanak Sarani (Mayo Road) will also remain closed from 6.30am on Wednesday.