Kolkata braces for Shahid Diwas traffic curbs amid high court directives

Indian Express

9 hours ago

The Kolkata Police have decided to implement a slew of traffic measures in the central part of the city on Monday in view of the ruling Trinamool Congress's Shahid Diwas program.
Besides, in a recent order, the Calcutta High Court has mandated that processions related to the annual TMC rally in Dharmatala be permitted only before 8 am and after 11 am. The three-hour window, from 8 am to 11 am, the court observed, was critical for maintaining the traffic flow in Kolkata.
Kolkata Police Commissioner (CP) Manoj Verma, after reviewing arrangements on Saturday, affirmed the force's commitment to fulfilling the high court's directives.
'The preparations for the Martyrs' Day rally are in the final stages. We will ensure that the Calcutta High Court's orders are complied with. All the officers have been informed in this regard. We will deploy extra police officers and civic volunteers to ensure smooth traffic movement,' CP Verma said.
He also launched three helplines – 1073, 9830811111, and 9830010000 – for the assistance of the public on rally day.
'July 21st is an emotion; people go there out of emotion. We have full respect for the high court, the police will take care of the traffic, but on July 21st, people come voluntarily and feel emotional about it,' said TMC Spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.
The police released a notification outlining extensive traffic restrictions for passenger vehicles from 4 am to 9 pm on July 21. These include:
No goods vehicles will be permitted to enter the city from 3 am to 8 pm on July 21. Exceptions have been made for vehicles carrying essential goods such as LPG gas cylinders, fish, and meat.
Parking will be strictly prohibited in several important areas and streets, including those adjacent to the Victoria Memorial (Hastings Crossing, Cathedral Road, Hospital Road, Lovers Lane, Casuarina Avenue). Trams and other vehicles will not be allowed to park on roads along the procession routes towards Dharmatala. The police may temporarily direct vehicles to alternate routes, including diverting major road traffic to smaller roads, based on real-time assessments.
Given that Monday, July 21, is the first working day of the week, the police have advised commuters to anticipate significant diversions and delays. The Kolkata Metro has been recommended as the most reliable travel option to avoid road congestion.
The annual Shahid Diwas rally commemorates the death of Youth Congress workers in police firing in 1993. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, then a leader of the Youth Congress, was leading the demonstration at the time of the incident.