A parking crisis at Naihati’s Boroma temple and nearby Kali Puja sites has left authorities searching for a traffic and visitor-management plan ahead of Kali Puja, with a meeting scheduled for 5 November to decide on a longer-term solution. Thousands of devotees and festival visitors are expected to travel to the area, but the locality has no permanent parking facility.
The issue was acknowledged by local MLA Sumitra Chattopadhyay, who said discussions were under way to address the problem. The meeting on 5 November is expected to finalise arrangements for vehicles visiting the temple and other major puja venues in Naihati.
Visitors approaching Boroma temple generally use Ghoshpara Road through the area near bus stand number 73. According to the report, the road becomes difficult for vehicles to negotiate because of heavy pedestrian movement, its narrow width and several puja venues located along the route. Vehicles are currently directed to a ground, after which visitors have to walk a considerable distance along the Ganga bank, past Swapnabeethi Park and towards Aravinda Road.
Aravinda Road itself is also heavily congested during the festival period. The report said that auto-rickshaws and battery-operated vehicles are unable to operate through the crowded stretch. Vehicle movement on Ghoshpara Road is scheduled to stop after 2 pm on Kali Puja day, 8 November, and is not expected to resume until the following morning.
This year, visitors will reportedly be allowed to use Aravinda Road in one direction, while two-way movement will remain closed. The road hosts Boroma Puja as well as at least six other major celebrations, including Kadamkali, Ganja Kali, Becha Kali and Hawker Kali. Other large pujas organised by the Naihati Hawkers’ Association, New Star Club and Gopal Smriti Sangha also draw substantial crowds.
The concentration of multiple high-footfall events within narrow and busy roads has turned parking into a wider traffic-management challenge. Vehicles brought by visitors to see the idols must be accommodated without obstructing pedestrian movement or emergency access, but the authorities have not yet announced a permanent parking site.
The police commissioner has inspected the area on foot to assess the movement constraints and the locations used by visitors. The MLA said discussions were continuing and that a final decision on parking and traffic arrangements would be taken at the 5 November meeting, before the restrictions planned for Kali Puja day.
