Kolkata: Following a direct directive from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Kolkata Police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will conduct a comprehensive drive to address the rampant issue of illegal parking and road congestion. The Chief Minister’s pointed criticism has spurred immediate action against the chaotic parking situation and associated roadblocks caused by autos and totos.
“Illegal parking, blocking roads with autos and totos — the cops see it all but turn a blind eye. When I mention it, they do a ‘Safe Drive Save Life’ campaign for a few days. The rest of the year, they just sleep away,” remarked the Chief Minister, highlighting the intermittent enforcement of traffic regulations. Illegal parking remains a significant challenge in both Kolkata and Howrah. Despite designated parking areas, unauthorised parking is pervasive, particularly in central Kolkata, where double and even triple-lane parking is common. The Chief Minister criticised the “wilful oversight” of such practices, implying a nexus of illicit gains that perpetuates the issue.
Encroachment of pavements by hawkers further exacerbates the problem, forcing pedestrians onto the roads, thereby increasing the risk of accidents and contributing to traffic slowdowns. “The CM was spot on in her observation about what ails traffic in cities like Kolkata. The cops need to pull up their socks to find a remedy. Parking is common on roads where it is strictly prohibited, perpetuating snarls, slowing down traffic and causing gridlocks due to lack of road space,” said a former traffic police officer. The problem is particularly acute in Howrah’s Ward 39, where trucks are frequently parked on narrow roads, causing significant obstructions. Similar issues are prevalent in the southern and eastern parts of the city. “In Behala, Jadavpur, East Jadavpur and Patuli, such problems are common. Even informing cops doesn’t solve the problem,” commented a local doctor who travels extensively in these areas for work.
The uncontrolled blocking of roads by autos is another major issue plaguing the city. “Across the city, there is hardly any control over autos. They block roads as they wish to pick up passengers, violate rules and fleece passengers during peak hours,” stated a concerned citizen. The joint inspection initiative by the Kolkata Police and KMC aims to bring a sustainable solution to these persistent issues. The authorities plan to deploy more personnel to monitor and enforce parking regulations more stringently. They will also focus on clearing pavements of hawkers and ensuring that autos and totos adhere to traffic rules. This decisive action follows the Chief Minister’s broader mission to ensure safer roads and better traffic management in Kolkata. The immediate goal is to alleviate the daily inconvenience faced by commuters and pedestrians, ultimately leading to a more orderly and efficient urban transport system.
