Kolkata Police received a stark preview of the impending New Year's Eve chaos as massive weekend crowds descended upon the city's popular recreational spots, prompting a large-scale security and traffic management blueprint for December 31 and January 1.
Weekend Crowds Signal New Year Rush
The final weekend of the year saw thousands of revelers flocking to locations across Kolkata, from Alipore Zoo and Princep Ghat to Eco Park and Science City. The overwhelming turnout kept police officers on constant alert throughout Saturday and Sunday.
By Saturday afternoon, Alipore Zoo had transformed into a sea of people, necessitating the deployment of approximately 300 police personnel outside its premises alone. An additional 400 officers were posted between Esplanade and the Maidan area to manage the influx of visitors from Kolkata and neighboring districts.
"The zoo always gets extremely crowded around Christmas and New Year, so we thought the weekend would be slightly easier," shared Pallabi Sengupta, a resident of Purbachal who visited the zoo with her niece. "But by afternoon, it was already overflowing." The pressure was equally palpable in central Kolkata, with New Market bursting at the seams as shoppers jostled for space to buy decorations, food, and party essentials.
Two-Phase Police Deployment Plan Unveiled
Anticipating that the New Year's Eve rush will far exceed the weekend crowds, Kolkata Police has confirmed that the extensive traffic management plan implemented on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be reinstated for December 31 and January 1. The arrangements will mirror the scale of Durga Puja traffic control, featuring selective barricading at key locations to prevent pedestrians from spilling onto roads.
A meticulous two-phase deployment strategy has been formulated to manage both vehicular flow and pedestrian safety. The first phase will commence around 9 am on New Year's Eve at major crowd magnets including Alipore Zoo, Victoria Memorial, Birla Planetarium, Science City, and the Indian Museum. From 3 pm onwards, the maximum police deployment will shift to the traditional epicenter of celebrations—the Park Street, Camac Street, and New Market corridor.
In the morning hours, about 500 officers will be stationed between Alipore Zoo and the Maidan, with another 350 managing traffic around Maidan and Esplanade. Notably, the stretch from Alipore Zoo to Park Street will see a deployment of over 3,500 police personnel. Inspectors will lead teams even inside malls experiencing high footfall. Security will be bolstered by Quick Reaction Teams, the all-women Winners Unit, and drone surveillance over Park Street and Alipore Zoo.
Special Arrangements and Pollution Crackdown
To ensure public safety, special pedestrian channels have been created and traffic signal timings adjusted to facilitate safer crossings, especially for children. Park Street will remain open to traffic, but a dedicated 2.5-meter-wide pedestrian corridor will lead towards Allen Park, while pavements will be reserved for diners. Separate arrangements are also in place for emerging party zones along EM Bypass connectors, particularly around Kasba.
In a joint move to curb noise and air pollution during the midnight celebrations, Kolkata Police and the state Pollution Control Board (PCB) have announced strict restrictions. The use of firecrackers will be permitted only in a 35-minute window from 11:55 pm on December 31 to 12:30 am on January 1, and limited strictly to eco-friendly varieties. Furthermore, the use of microphones and loudspeakers will be completely banned from 10 pm to 6 am. Senior PCB officials will be on the ground to monitor air and noise levels throughout the night.
With these comprehensive measures, the city's police force aims to ensure that Kolkata rings in the New Year with joy, but within a framework of safety and order.
