Kolkata: Kolkata traffic police will be out on the roads from Tritiya, Oct 14, with Durga Puja traffic restrictions kicking in from 4 pm the same day.With cops and organisers keen on managing movement smoothly, cops said that an early start can actually help in curbing crowding from Saptami. “This year, with Chaturthi and Panchami being working days with most schools remaining open and most organisers inaugurating their pandals by Chaturthi despite the delay due to rain, we have decided to not only be on the roads but also ensure traffic restrictions,” said an officer.Idol lifting will start from Mahalaya post 4 pm, said cops.All traffic restrictions will kick in between 3 pm and 4 pm in the city from Tritiya and continue till Navami. There will be additional restrictions for immersions on Dashami and Ekadashi. According to the notification, from Saptami (Oct 17) to Dashami (Oct 21), only northbound traffic will ply along Lock Gate Flyover (24 hours). Southbound traffic along B T Road shall be diverted via Raja Manindra Road-Indra Biswas Road-Belgachhia Bridge-RG Kar Road-Shyambazar five-point crossing. Similarly, southbound vehicles on Gariahat Road except buses and mini buses shall be channelised via Hazra Road, Sarat Bose Road, Southern Avenue.The traffic police said they have decided to keep the normal traffic flow till 3-4 pm daily before switching to the puja plans. “The schools are shut and so are govt offices. There will be no VIP movement and barricades,” said an officer at Lalbazar.The police have not gone for a blanket ban on plying of autos this year after 4 pm. Instead, there are severe restrictions on their movement. A full ban will only be implemented based on the ground situation.Based on previous years’ experience, police have still drawn up special arrangements for choke points like Rashbehari Avenue, Hatibagan and Tollygunge Circular Road. “In case of any emergent situation, like crowding or serious congestion along Rash Behari Avenue connector, the ‘one way’ system will be implemented ahead of the prescribed time,” said an ACP.The focus is also on the morning period — 10 am to 2 pm. Sources in Lalbazar said it has already enhanced force presence outside big pujas even in the morning but it cannot spare more forces in the morning as it will upset its evening plans. “Do remember that once we deploy personnel, it is almost impossible to withdraw them before midnight. There are several instances when your men have joined duty at 11 am and continued till 2 am at night on all four days of the puja,” said an officer.
