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Gridlock Alert: Central Kolkata likely to get paralyzed as Park Street carnival triggers massive diversions due to crowd gathering

As Christmas celebrations peak, Central Kolkata is witnessing massive congestion with Park Street and adjoining roads closed to vehicles, prompting authorities to advise commuters to use extended Metro services.

3 min readDec 25, 2025 12:10 PM IST

Kolkata Metro has added extra and late-night services on Blue and Green lines to help revelers avoid the gridlock.

Vehicles pass through a road illuminated with lights on the eve of the Christmas festival, at Park Street, in Kolkata. (PTI Photo)

As Christmas festivities reach it’s peak. Major thoroughfares in Central Kolkata, particularly J.L. Nehru Road and the AJC Bose Road crossing, are witnessing massive gridlock due to the influx of revelers heading toward the Park Street carnival. With Park Street, Middleton Street, and Cathedral Road completely closed to vehicles and major thoroughfares like AJC Bose Road heavily restricted, it is highly advisable to avoid driving and use the Metro’s extended late-night services instead.

To manage the surge, Kolkata Police has restricted goods vehicles from entering the Maidan and Park Street sectors until the early hours of December 26. Furthermore, iconic stretches like Park Street (from J.L. Nehru Road to Wood Street) and Middleton Street are completely shut to vehicular traffic to allow for a pedestrian-only arena, while Cathedral Road and parts of Russell Street remain closed or heavily restricted to ensure the safety of the crowds.

To mitigate the surface-level congestion, the Kolkata Metro has stepped in with significant extra services for the Blue and Green lines. On Christmas Day, the Metro is operating a total of 224 services on the Blue Line (Dakshineswar to Kavi Subhash) and 201 services on the Green Line (Howrah Maidan to Sector V). Notably, the Blue Line has extended its operating hours, with the last trains departing from Shahid Khudiram at 10:30 PM and Dakshineswar at 10:23 PM

Park Street is a walk-only zone for pedestrians on Christmas today.
With the main festivities centered around Park Street (renamed Mother Teresa Sarani), the area will see massive police deployment. The entire park street zone is adorned with dazzling lights, decorations. The festival includes live music performances by bands and choir groups at Allen Park, a two-hour parade for children, and numerous food stalls.
Key Locations: Besides Park Street, celebrations and events take place at Bow Barrack and around prominent churches in Kolkata (like St. Paul’s Cathedral), as well as in other towns such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Chandannagar, and Bandel.
Special Events: Many venues, hotels, and clubs host Christmas-themed parties, brunches, and live performances, including theatre shows and comedy events.

On the other hand BJP will be celebrating former PM Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birthday. State President of BJP Bengal Unit Samik Bhattacharya will be in NRS hospital at 9.30 AM to pay tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. There are mtiple programme on this by BJP tomorrow.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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