KOLKATA PUTS PANDAL-HOPPING ON A TRAFFIC BLUEPRINT AS POLICE UNVEIL FESTIVAL GUIDE AND MOBILISE 12,000 PERSONNEL
October 14, 2026
Kolkata Police has unveiled its annual Durga Puja traffic guide to help millions of festival visitors navigate the city’s crowded streets, locate prominent pandals and access essential services during Bengal’s biggest annual celebration. The guide, launched on Tuesday by Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, provides practical information on approach roads, designated entry and exit points, restricted routes, nearby Metro stations and available modes of transport.
The initiative is designed to make pandal-hopping more convenient while helping authorities manage the massive movement of pedestrians and vehicles expected across Kolkata during the festive period. The guide also includes emergency contact numbers for Kolkata Police, fire brigades, ambulance services and vehicle breakdown assistance, allowing visitors to seek help when required.
Announcing the arrangements, Nand said traffic management would be an integral part of the city’s Durga Puja preparations. Approximately 6,000 traffic personnel will be deployed on Kolkata’s roads, alongside another 6,000 home guards and civic volunteers who will assist in regulating traffic, guiding commuters and managing crowds.
Full-scale police deployment will begin on Chaturthi, Wednesday, October 14, as the festive rush gathers momentum. Personnel will be positioned at key intersections, congested thoroughfares and popular pandal locations to maintain traffic flow and prevent overcrowding from disrupting movement through the city.
Crowd management inside and outside major Puja pandals will remain a central priority. Police officers are preparing to handle large gatherings at popular attractions, regulate pedestrian movement and minimise congestion around narrow roads and busy intersections. The objective is to enable visitors to move between pandals more smoothly while maintaining public safety.
The traffic arrangements also account for the growing pressure on commercial districts before the main celebrations. Last-minute Puja shopping has already increased footfall at several major shopping areas, slowing traffic and creating congestion on important roads. Deputy commissioners of police and other senior officers are supervising these locations to improve traffic flow and prevent bottlenecks.
Kolkata’s extensive network of more than 3,000 registered Puja celebrations presents a substantial logistical challenge. Popular pandals attract visitors from across India and abroad, while local residents take to the streets throughout the day and night. The resulting movement of crowds makes advance planning and coordinated traffic management essential.
The traffic guide is intended to help visitors plan their routes before setting out, identify suitable approaches to pandals and choose nearby public transport options. Information about entry and no-entry points can also help reduce confusion around restricted areas, while emergency contacts provide a practical resource for people facing difficulties during their journeys.
Police have emphasised that the arrangements extend beyond traffic regulation to include the safety and security of women and children in crowded areas and the prevention of crime during the festivities. Officers will remain alert to congestion and potential law-and-order problems as footfall increases.
With the festival deployment beginning on Chaturthi, Kolkata Police is preparing for several days of intense activity across the city. The newly launched guide, supported by thousands of police personnel, home guards and civic volunteers, is intended to make this year’s Durga Puja celebrations safer, more accessible and easier to navigate for residents and visitors alike.
