Kolkata: Kolkata Traffic Police have initiated a major enforcement drive aimed at curbing illegal parking during the peak festive shopping season. As part of this crackdown, police headquarters at Lalbazar floated an official tender to procure 700 new wheel clamps at a cost of more than Rs 9 lakh, signalling a stern approach toward traffic violations on key arterial roads across the city.In key operational shift, the procurement includes 200 big wheel clamps designed specifically for four-wheelers and passenger cars, alongside 500 small wheel clamps intended primarily for two-wheelers.The tender specifications detail that big wheel clamps will weigh between 5.5 kg and 6 kg with an inner diameter of 45–48 cm, while small clamps will weigh 3 kg to 4 kg with an inner diameter of 28–31 cm. Both clamp variants will feature minimum iron sheet thicknesses of 3 mm to 4 mm, ratchet-teeth lock-and-key mechanisms, yellow polyurethane paint over primer coats, and mandatory one-year replacement warranties. The total estimated outlay for the procurement stands at Rs 3,20,960 for the big clamps and Rs 5,84,100 for the small clamps.To support the physical clamping operations, local traffic guards—particularly those managing high-density festival shopping corridors—are designating specific high-risk stretches as “Clamping Zones”. The police’s road marking section is actively installing clear white signage explicitly warning motorists with “Clamping Zone” text paired alongside traditional “No-Parking” indicators.“These boards are being put up so that motorists know exactly why their vehicles can get towed,” said a senior officer at Lalbazar. “We often receive complaints alleging that there were not enough signboards marking an area as no-parking when vehicles get clamped or towed. This transparent marking system will eliminate ambiguity. Additionally, these signs alert the driving public to areas experiencing dense traffic flow so they can exercise heightened caution.”Officers confirmed that officers-in-charge (OCs) of local traffic guards are currently determining specific clamping spots using real-time surveillance and congestion data. Initial installations of the new warning boards have already been completed across the congested Esplanade, New Market, and Park Street zones under the jurisdiction of the headquarters and South Traffic Guards.Cops emphasised that once the signage installation phase concludes, even joint night-time operations will be launched in tandem with Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) car parking department to target unauthorised commercial parking and overnight space encroachment in high-footfall commercial districts.
