Kolkata: BJP and Kolkata Police are gearing up for the “Saffron March” rally from Golpark to Jadavpur 8B on Wednesday, with the organisers expecting more than 7,000 people to join the mobilisation. Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to join the gathering at Golpark around 4pm and walk the entire stretch before addressing the crowd at Jadavpur 8B as cops are preparing for necessary diversion.
“We are expecting 7,000-odd people to attend the walk.
All of them will be wearing saffron clothes and ‘ Vande Mataram ’ will be played on loudspeakers across the entire stretch,” said Jagvir Singh, a BJP south Kolkata district functionary. Alongside CM Adhikari, all major ministers, MLAs and karyakartas from south Kolkata and the city’s southern fringes will join the walk.
Police said the services would either remain suspended during the rally or operate through a diversion via Bijon Setu, Sapuipara, Palbazar, Garfa Main Road and Sukanta Setu. We will possibly keep the operation suspended during the afternoon and early evening hours,” said an auto driver on the Garia-Golpark route. Police officials said the scale of the mobilisation, coupled with the road restrictions, could make management of evening peak-hour traffic particularly challenging. It is a normal academic day for JU,” a senior university official said.
Garia-bound buses will be diverted through Rashbehari Avenue Connector and Park Circus Connector, while Jadavpur-bound buses will be short-terminated at the Jadavpur police station crossing during the programme. Auto services between Garia and Golpark are also likely to be affected. “Many of us have been asked to join the rally as well. There is no point in operating through the diverted route. JU authorities, meanwhile, are awaiting communication from police before deciding whether any special arrangements are required on campus. “At present we have not decided on anything. We are awaiting communication from the police and if they suggest something, we will try to cooperate with them. It is an external programme so we don’t have any role in it.
BJP sources said participants would begin assembling at Golpark from 2pm. A stage will be erected on the Sukanta Setu-bound flank at Jadavpur 8B, where Adhikari is expected to address the gathering after completing the march.