Kolkata: Approximately 30% of illegal parking incidents in the city over the past 48 hours were concentrated in three specific zones: the headquarters guard covering Dalhousie and Esplanade areas, the Sealdah guard where Koley Market and Narkeldanga posed the biggest challenges, and the Bhowanipore guard where double-lane parking, even by residents, emerged as a major issue.
Parking Violations Data
On Thursday, 1,156 cases of illegal parking were reported city-wide, with 207 from Sealdah, 149 from the central business district (CBD), and 119 from Bhowanipore. By 4 pm on Friday, the headquarters guard alone recorded 68 parking violations.
Police Response and Strategy
Senior officers at Lalbazar have instructed all traffic officers and assistant commissioners to conduct regular raids. However, police have been advised to ensure that no genuine resident is penalized, especially if parking on the road rather than the pavement could worsen traffic congestion. Such vehicle owners have been directed to approach the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to obtain permissions if garages are unavailable.
At Lalbazar, meetings were held with traffic officers and assistant commissioners, emphasizing that no movement should be obstructed due to illegal parking "at any cost." The top police official reportedly requested a list of all roads where two-way parking is allowed on narrower stretches, a practice that needs to be stopped. "We have decided to maintain 24-hour surveillance using CCTV cameras. Multiple drives at the same location—especially in central Kolkata areas like Free School Street, Camac Street, Dalhousie, and Burrabazar, where illegal parking causes major traffic hindrances—will continue daily. Along with the KMC, we will clearly mark parking areas so that violators are aware of the illegality," said an officer.
Focus on Added Areas
In the added areas, police have been directed to target illegal garages and unauthorized truck parking. "Several vehicles, including buses, are parked off EM Bypass and DH Road. If they encroach upon road space, they must be removed. All police stations and traffic guards have been instructed to enforce this rule," stated a joint commissioner.
KMC Collaboration
The KMC has announced a dual focus on illegal parking and associated extortion. "We are identifying agencies involved in malpractices and will share their names with Kolkata Police. We will request legal action against them. A meeting with police will be held soon to discuss these modalities," said a KMC official.
