Kolkata Police will restrict or suspend traffic on Red Road from 10 pm on October 6 as preparations for the 2026 Durga Puja events begin, with diversions planned through Dufferin Road, Outram Road and Mayo Road to keep vehicles moving around central Kolkata.
The directive was issued on Tuesday by Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda, according to a report by Anandabazar – Kolkata. The first restriction period will remain in force for 24 hours from 10 pm on October 6. A further closure will begin from midnight on October 9 and continue until late night on October 10 or early morning on October 11.
Police said the restrictions are required for the construction of event structures, installation of lighting, movement of heavy equipment and the safety of visitors and other road users. A Durga Puja-related programme is scheduled to be held at Eden Gardens on October 10, making the Red Road area an important access and preparation zone during the festival period.
Red Road is a key north-south connection through central Kolkata, linking areas around the Maidan with routes towards Kidderpore and the city centre. Its closure or controlled use is therefore expected to affect vehicles travelling between north and south Kolkata, particularly during periods when equipment and construction material are being moved for the celebrations.
Under the diversion plan, vehicles travelling towards north Kolkata through Kidderpore Road may be redirected through Dufferin Road and Outram Road, depending on traffic conditions. Vehicles travelling towards south Kolkata from Rani Rashmoni Avenue and Government Place East may be diverted through Mayo Road and Dufferin Road.
The police notification also allows traffic personnel to redirect vehicles from other connecting roads whenever required. This means diversions may extend beyond the immediate approaches to Red Road if congestion, event-related work or public-safety requirements make additional controls necessary.
The restrictions are intended to allow preparation work to proceed while maintaining overall traffic movement during the festival season. Commuters using central Kolkata routes will need to account for altered travel paths during the notified periods, particularly from the night of October 6 and again from midnight on October 9.
Kolkata Police has not indicated any change to the stated restriction periods in the directive reported by Anandabazar – Kolkata. Traffic personnel will implement route changes on the ground according to prevailing conditions and the requirements of the Durga Puja programme.
