Kolkata Traffic Police has launched a special campaign against illegal parking in Gariahat ahead of Durga Puja, targeting vehicles obstructing roads and entrances as well as alleged extortion in the name of parking. The enforcement drive covers R.B. Avenue, Amir Ali Avenue and surrounding areas, where police teams are removing illegally parked vehicles and taking action against traffic violations.
The South-East Traffic Guard is reportedly receiving around 10 to 15 traffic-related complaints each day through Dial-100 ahead of the festival, according to the report. The complaints include vehicles blocking residential entrances, alleged collection of money for parking, and cars being driven at high speed or recklessly while being parked.
The campaign is uncovering approximately 30 to 40 illegal parking cases every day, the report said. Police have adopted a zero-tolerance approach on the R.B. Avenue stretch between Triangular Park and Bisan Setu, where roadside parking is expected to come under closer scrutiny during the festival period.
The enforcement challenge is linked to the gap between available parking and expected demand. The area has around 90 parking slots on both sides beneath the flyover and approximately 180 slots on the main roads. Police are also taking action against motorists who wait on the road for a parking space to become available, adding to congestion on already busy stretches.
The campaign comes as footfall at several major Durga Puja pandals in central and south Kolkata is expected to rise sharply. According to information attributed to Lalbazar, visitor numbers at at least seven prominent pandals could increase by around 50 per cent this year. The areas identified as likely pressure points include Park Street, Chetla-Alipore, Kidderpore, Behala and Santoshpur.
For residents, the enforcement issue is not limited to inconvenience. Vehicles parked across building entrances can restrict access for households, while informal parking charges create uncertainty over who controls limited public road space. The police action therefore combines traffic management with an attempt to regulate how parking is used and paid for in a high-demand festival environment.
Police are identifying alternative parking locations in response to requests from Durga Puja organisers. The immediate operational challenge will be to manage vehicles and pedestrians together around crowded pandals while preventing motorists from occupying carriageways in the absence of vacant parking slots. The campaign and alternative-site planning are expected to continue before the festival crowds intensify.
