Kolkata Bans Goods Vehicles for 4 Days Due to Kali Puja

ASANSOL: Kolkata Police is taking special measures for Kali Puja to prevent traffic jams and chaos on city streets due to idol transportation, pandal processions, and immersion. Kolkata Police has issued a notification to control traffic in the city on the occasion of Kali Puja. On November 8, the day of Kali Puja, and on November 9, 10, and 11, the days of idol removal, the movement of vehicles and pedestrians will be regulated on various streets of Kolkata. Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda issued instructions in this regard. The notification stated that on the day of Kali Puja, all types of goods vehicles on all streets and lanes of the city, which do not carry Kali Puja idols, will be banned. According to the instructions, this restriction will remain in effect from 6:00 AM on November 8 to 4:00 AM on November 9. This means that general goods vehicles will not be allowed to ply on the city streets from morning till night and the next morning on the day of Kali Puja. However, goods vehicles carrying Kali Puja idols have been exempted from this restriction. This administrative step is believed to have been taken to reduce traffic congestion, ensure easy movement of people, and guarantee security on the city's streets during the festival. Kolkata Police stated that besides Kali Puja, traffic restrictions will also be in place during the idol removal days on November 9, 10, and 11. For those three days, the movement of vehicles and pedestrians will be restricted according to separate guidelines or specific rules of the notification. To issue this order, the Police Commissioner exercised powers under sections 115, 117, 122, and 126 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and various legal provisions including the Kolkata Police Act. The notification further stated that this order will remain in force for a specified period. If there is any conflict between new orders and any previous order on the concerned roads, the old order will prevail as long as this notification remains in effect.