Kolkata Traffic Police is seeking additional parking areas near major Durga Puja pandals after motorists complained that official parking facilities often leave them walking 1-2 km to reach the venues. The move comes as several new pandals are expected to attract large crowds during the festival.
Lalbazar officials said at least seven pandals in central and south Kolkata could see visitor numbers rise by 50%-80%. Police are working with local police stations to identify additional parking spaces and examine whether smaller roads and lanes can be used without creating problems for residents.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has also been asked to provide inputs. Police said the main operational challenge would be managing vehicles, pedestrians and parking simultaneously around crowded venues. Areas being assessed include Park Street, Chetla-Alipore, Kidderpore, Behala and Santoshpur, where new crowd-pulling attractions are located near already popular pandals.
All traffic guards have been directed to submit traffic circulation plans for the new attractions by next week. Their proposals must also identify alternative parking locations, which police officials plan to review by the end of the month.
Police acknowledged that parking near pandals remains a persistent problem. They said illegal parking would be controlled strictly because it reduces available road space and contributes to congestion. From Chaturthi, officers will implement a “chase-and-challan” policy against vehicles parked illegally.
Visitors have also sought clearer parking signs, with some reporting difficulties last year in locating official parking areas near major pandals. The traffic circulation plans and proposed parking locations are expected to determine how vehicles are directed during the festival.
