Kolkata: Traffic in Kolkata improved on Chaturthi evening after more than 6,000 traffic cops were deployed. Cops said traffic may take another 24 hours to become normal. But pandal-hoppers, office crowds and inaugurations kept the stretch from Chetla to Kalighat metro choked.
From 4 pm, police focused on removing illegal parking. Police reduced auto movement near major pujas from 5 pm.
At present, we are focusing on Sreebhumi, Sector V-Nicco Park crossing, Sinthee, Amtala, Santragachhi, Garia Dhalai Bridge and Dunlop,” said an officer. Cops in plain clothes fined taxis for double-lane parking on thoroughfares like J L Nehru Road. Police also tried to stop jaywalking near markets. R B Avenue saw heavy traffic but no major gridlock. Traffic on VIP Road near Sreebhumi was almost normal, which helped airport-bound commuters. NCC and other volunteers were deployed to keep pedestrians inside marked walking channels. “We have decided to set up a joint vigil where ground report will be collected every two hours and action will be taken jointly.
Meanwhile, a joint co-ordination meeting was held on Wednesday between senior officers of both Bengal Police and Kolkata Police to increase co-ordination.