In a proactive move to ensure smooth celebrations, the Kolkata Traffic Police spent Tuesday rigorously testing and adjusting its comprehensive traffic management strategy for the upcoming 48 hours, focusing on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Dry Runs and Diversions at Key Hotspots
The police force actively chased away vehicles attempting to park illegally near anticipated crowd magnets like the Alipore Zoo and the Victoria Memorial. The core of the rehearsal involved implementing and evaluating specific traffic diversions designed to ease congestion, particularly during the busy morning hours of December 31 and January 1.
Key diversion routes tested included redirecting larger vehicles away from Bhawani Bhawan. Instead, SSKM Hospital-bound traffic was directed via Alipore Road and DL Khan Road. Similarly, vehicles headed towards Kidderpore and Howrah were diverted using Queensway and Kidderpore Road.
Park Street Protocol and Pedestrian Priority
A significant restriction announced is for Park Street. The police will not allow two-way movement on this iconic thoroughfare after 10 pm on Wednesday, December 31st. The plan is to restore two-way traffic only after 3 am on January 1st.
Ensuring a smooth flow for pedestrians remains a top priority. To manage the expected influx of revellers, the police plan to establish double-lane channels for pedestrians on Park Street throughout the day on December 31st.
Safety Enhancements and Increased Deployment
Following an accident near Alipore zoo on Tuesday morning that left 39-year-old Jharna Mondal injured after being hit by a taxi, authorities strengthened barricading in the area. The incident underscored the need for robust safety measures.
The police deployment will be substantially increased, with an additional 250 personnel slated for duty around the Maidan and Esplanade areas. Officers will also be vigilant to prevent loitering and the blocking of entrances to eateries and restaurants.
While the Tuesday experiments yielded some positive results, making commuting smoother in certain areas, authorities at Lalbazar acknowledged that further fine-tuning might be necessary. The focus remains squarely on managing the expected morning crowds on the last day of the year and the first day of the new one, with smooth traffic and pedestrian flow being the ultimate goal for Kolkata Police.
