Kolkata Traffic Advisory: Roads to Avoid During PM Modi’s Yoga Day Event

Kolkata is getting ready for a very big event this Sunday. The city will host the 12th International Day of Yoga. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Kolkata to lead this event. The main programme will take place at the famous Red Road. Because this is a very large event with many people, the Kolkata Police have planned many traffic changes. If you live in Kolkata or need to travel on Sunday, you must plan your journey carefully. Many main roads will be closed, and vehicles will have to take other routes.

The police have already started making changes to keep everyone safe. Red Road, which is the main place for the Yoga Day event, has been closed since June 14. It will remain closed to all cars and buses until the event finishes on June 21. This long closure was necessary so that workers could build the stage and set up all the systems. Security is very strict because the Prime Minister is visiting. To understand how public events are managed under national plans, you can read more about administrative updates in the BJP Delhi anniversary status report, which shows how big government programs are organized.

Roads That Will Be Closed From Sunday Morning

If you need to go out on Sunday, you must know which roads are closed. According to the Kolkata Police traffic guide, several roads around the Maidan and Red Road area will shut down starting at 2:00 AM on Sunday. This means you cannot drive on them at all. The list of closed roads is quite long. It includes Hospital Road (both East and West), Lovers Lane, Casuarina Avenue, Kingsway, and Queensway. Additionally, Plassey Gate Road, Dufferin Road, Outram Road, and the Esplanade Ramp will be completely closed to regular traffic.

Other important roads will also face some closures. Portions of Rani Rashmoni Avenue and Khidderpore Road will not allow normal cars to pass. Mayo Road, which is also known as Guru Nanak Sarani, will be closed to all normal vehicles. The only cars allowed on Mayo Road are those that have special permits for the Yoga Day event. If you do not have a pass, the police will ask you to turn back. It is best to avoid these areas completely to save your time and fuel.

New Routes for Cars and Buses

Since many roads are closed, the police have made a new plan to help cars move. If you are traveling towards the North of Kolkata, you cannot use the usual Maidan roads. Instead, you will be sent through Outram Road, JL Nehru Road, and Dufferin Road. If you are traveling towards the South of the city, your car will be redirected. You will have to go via Mayo Road, Dufferin Road, and the Esplanade crossing. These diversions might make your travel time longer, so please leave your home early.

Buses will also have to use different routes. If you take a bus that usually goes towards Howrah or the Dalhousie area, expect a different journey on Sunday. These buses will be diverted to go through Belvedere Road, AJC Bose Road, and Strand Road. The police will place signboards to help drivers find their way. Many police officers will also be standing at key crossings to guide people. Please listen to their instructions and remain patient.

Restrictions on Big Trucks and Goods Vehicles

To make the streets safer and less crowded, the police are also stopping big trucks. From the early hours of Sunday morning, goods vehicles will not be allowed on many main roads. These corridors include parts of AJC Bose Road, JL Nehru Road, CR Avenue, Strand Road, and St George’s Gate Road. These restrictions will stay in place until the entire Yoga event is over and the crowd goes home.

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However, the police have made some exceptions for important goods. Trucks that carry essential items will still be allowed to move. These items include cooking gas (LPG), medicines, fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, and milk. This is done so that the people of Kolkata do not face any shortage of food or health supplies during the weekend. Still, general business trucks must wait until Sunday afternoon or evening to enter these areas.

Special Restrictions in BBD Bagh Area

There are also some extra rules for the BBD Bagh area because of the high security. A major stretch of road in this area will close early. This includes the road between Government Place East, Esplanade Row East, Old Court House Street, and BBD Bag South. This area will be completely closed starting from 5:00 PM on Saturday evening. It will stay closed until Sunday noon. If you have work in this business district, please try to complete it before Saturday afternoon.

The police have also warned that they might change rules suddenly. If they see too much traffic or have security concerns, they can close more feeder roads or change tram routes. Parking rules will also change. You cannot park your car on any road near the Maidan area on Sunday. Cars parked in wrong places will be towed away by the police. It is highly recommended to use the metro train if you need to travel to central Kolkata on Sunday, as trains will run normally.

How to Spend Your Sunday at Home

With so many roads closed, staying at home might be the most relaxing option for many families. You can use this free time to rest or learn something new. If you want to improve your skills, you can check out some free Swayam courses online. These courses are offered by top institutes like the IITs and cover exciting topics like artificial intelligence, design, and animation. Learning online is a great way to stay productive while avoiding the hot weather and heavy traffic outside.

If you do decide to go out, make sure to keep a water bottle with you. The weather can be warm, and being stuck in a traffic diversion can make you feel tired. Keep an eye on local news updates and GPS maps to find the clearest paths. By planning ahead and being patient, we can all help make this national event successful and safe for everyone in Kolkata.