How different communities celebrate festivals and affect traffic

Different communities in Kolkata celebrate a wide range of festivals—such as Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Eid, and Christmas—each bringing unique traditions and large gatherings that significantly affect city traffic.

Durga Puja (Hindu/Bengali Community)

• Celebration: The city transforms into a “city that never sleeps,” with elaborate pandals, processions, and cultural events attracting millions, including tourists237.
• Traffic Impact:
  • Extensive road closures and diversions are implemented, especially in North, Central, and South Kolkata, affecting over 170 thoroughfares.
  • Key roads like Auckland Road and Kingsway are closed to regular vehicles, with only specific vehicles (like those carrying devotees) allowed6.
  • Movement of goods vehicles is heavily restricted, with exceptions for essential supplies6.
  • Parking bans and pedestrian-only zones are common near major pandals.
  • Police deployment is intensified, and public transport routes are modified to manage the surge in crowds6.

Kali Puja (Hindu/Bengali Community)

• Celebration: Marked by worship, fireworks, and idol immersions, especially around Kali temples.
• Traffic Impact:
  • Complete closure of roads around major temples (e.g., Kalighat) and immersion routes during the festival and immersion days5.
  • Goods vehicles (except those carrying idols or essentials) are banned during specified hours.
  • Special traffic arrangements and diversions are enforced, with parking restrictions in affected areas5.

Eid-ul-Fitr (Muslim Community)

• Celebration: Large congregational prayers at mosques and open grounds, followed by community feasts.
• Traffic Impact:
  • Key roads such as Red Road are closed to all vehicles, including trams, during prayer times8.
  • Goods vehicle movement is restricted citywide, except for essential services.
  • Public transport routes are diverted, and tram services may be suspended8.

Other Community Festivals

• Christmas (Christian Community):
  • Park Street and surrounding areas are lit up and pedestrianized, with traffic diversions and parking restrictions during major events and midnight mass.
• Other Local Fairs and Religious Gatherings:
  • In areas like Tarakeswar (Hugli), large fairs and pilgrimages bring tourist inflows, leading to temporary road closures and increased traffic in and around the sites1.

Common Traffic Management Strategies

• Road Closures & Diversions: Implemented to ensure public safety and smooth movement during large gatherings.
• Goods Vehicle Restrictions: To reduce congestion, especially during peak festival hours568.
• Enhanced Police Deployment: For crowd control and traffic regulation, especially near major venues and religious sites46.
• Public Transport Adjustments: Rerouting, increased frequency, or suspension of services as needed68.
• Parking Bans & Pedestrian Zones: Near celebration hotspots to facilitate crowd movement and emergency access.

In summary:
Kolkata’s diverse communities celebrate their festivals with grandeur, but these celebrations invariably lead to major traffic changes—road closures, diversions, and restrictions—requiring coordinated efforts by the police and city authorities to ensure safety and mobility for all