Kolkata Traffic Restrictions Announced Ahead of Kali Puja Celebrations From October 20–21

With the festival of Kali Puja approaching, the Kolkata Traffic Police have issued a comprehensive traffic advisory for 20 October, aiming to manage the anticipated surge in crowds and ensure public safety. As part of the measures, several roads across the city will be closed to vehicular traffic, while movement on certain other stretches will be strictly regulated throughout the day and evening.

Restrictions On Goods Vehicles During Puja Hours

From 6 am on October 20 until 4 am on October 21, the movement of all goods vehicles will be prohibited on city roads, except those transporting Kali Puja idols. However, an exception will be made for goods vehicles carrying essential or perishable items, including LPG, POL, oxygen, milk, medicines, vegetables, fruits, and other necessary supplies, which will be permitted to operate during this period.

Goods vehicles that are port-originated, port-related, or port-bound, as well as light goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 1,600 kg—such as the TATA ACE, Mahindra Jeeto, and Suzuki Super Carry—will also be exempt from these restrictions.

Special Parking Zones

In response to requests from Kali Puja organisers, the Kolkata Traffic Police have identified dedicated parking zones for puja clusters across north, central, and south Kolkata. However, officials emphasise that these parking arrangements will be managed on a flexible, hour-to-hour basis, depending on real-time needs and traffic conditions.

For the first time, additional police personnel will be deployed to manage central Kolkata traffic from the morning hours on Dhanteras and Diwali, to help prevent early congestion and maintain smoother flow throughout the day. In north Kolkata, parking will be permitted up to Amherst Street, which hosts one of the city's most prominent Kali Puja clusters. However, the Sukeas Street–Amherst Street crossing will be closed in the evening. Possible parking alternatives include Sukeas Street and College Street, according to a senior officer from Lalbazar.

Road Closures Announced For Kali Puja

To manage the anticipated surge in crowds and ensure public safety, several roads will be closed or regulated from 4 pm on Kali Puja day (20 October). Kalakar Street, a typically busy stretch, is expected to be shut from 9 pm on Friday, a day before Dhanteras, and will remain closed until the end of the festivities. To ease diversions, traffic will be rerouted via KK Tagore Street, CR Avenue, and MG Road.

Further road closures will affect key stretches including Bankim Chatterjee Street, Shyama Charan Dey Street, and Tollygunge Road between Chandra Mondal Lane and Rash Behari Avenue. Access on these roads will be restricted, with only local residents’ vehicles permitted during closure hours.

Special arrangements are also being implemented near the Kalighat Kali Temple, a major pilgrimage site during the festival. Roads surrounding the temple will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5 am to 11 am, and again from 5 pm on Kali Puja day.

In effect, the following roads are included in the closure plan:

• Darbhukta Chatterjee Street – subject to closure as and when required

• Bansya Charan Street – subject to closure as and when required

• Surya Sannyasi Dey Street – fully closed

• S.N. Banerjee Road – between Rani Rashmoni Road and R.A.K. Khan Road, closed as necessary

• RB Avenue and Chittar Central Food – between Sadashiv Road and Peary Mohan Roy Road, closed as necessary

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy Sarani – between Vyankateshwar Road and M.G. Road

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy Sarani – between MG Road and BDM Saha Road

• Hrish Chandra Lane – between Bichan Sarani and Hari Ghosh Street

• Mohon Ch. Sen Street – between APC Roy Road and Bichan Sarani

• Keshab Chandra Street – between Anumea Iyer Road and Karmayet Majumdar Road, closed as necessary

• College Street / Bentinck Street – from GP Road to Vivekananda Road, closed as necessary

• Mahatma Gandhi Road – between Patherpore Road and Garden Reach Road, closed as necessary

• Patherpore Road – between Chandni Mondal Lane and Rahatkhana Avenue

Buses approaching the College Street–MG Road or Raja Ram Mohan Roy Sarani–GP Road crossings will be diverted into GP Road and APC Roy Road, continuing towards Vivekananda Road. From there, they will proceed along Saha or Mukherjee Road via left or right turns, depending on real-time traffic conditions and as directed by police on duty.

Additionally, all buses heading towards Tollygunge Road via Parliament Street, Jadulal Mitra Marg, Bentinck Street, or BDM Saha Road will be rerouted via Bentinck Street, APC Roy Road, and Vivekananda Road, before turning left onto Raja Ram Mohan Roy Sarani or GP Road, and rejoining Bentinck Street.

Keep tabs on the Kolkata Police's Facebook page and their X account for updates.

FAQs

What is Kali Puja?

Kali Puja is a major Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Kali, who symbolizes the destruction of evil and the power of feminine energy. It is especially important in Eastern India.

When is Kali Puja celebrated?

Kali Puja is observed on the new moon night (Amavasya) of the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually falls in October or November each year. This timing coincides with the wider Diwali celebrations across India.

Where is Kali Puja most widely celebrated?

While Diwali is celebrated throughout India, Kali Puja holds special significance in the eastern states of West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, as well as in neighbouring Bangladesh.

What is the spiritual significance of Kali Puja?

The festival honours Kali as the fierce destroyer of evil and a powerful symbol of Shakti, the divine feminine energy. It is a time for spiritual awakening, empowerment, and seeking protection from negative forces.