Chaotic traffic this puja,blame it on expanded Kolkata

The newly added areas of Kolkata Police put the traffic management during Durga Puja out of gear this year.

The newly added areas of Kolkata Police put the traffic management during Durga Puja out of gear this year. Police officials admitted that after four days of smooth monitoring,the traffic became chaotic as new areas were added to Kolkata Police jurisdiction recently.

According to an official,the area of survey under the Kolkata Police was increased from 87sq km to 187 sq km from September 1. Seventeen new police stations and 10 traffic guards were set up to manage the additional area of 100 sq km,but the administration suffered because of the shortage of forces. Moreover,the Kolkata Police was not familiar with the new areas.

Police officials said the shifting of officials from old areas to new areas affected the traffic management even in old areas,also.

However,a source in Kolkata Police said the traffic management was also hit badly as contrary to police plan,people came on the roads in a large number starting from Panchmi which happened to be on Sunday.

Dilip Bandyopadyay,Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police (Traffic) said this year about 4800 personnel were deployed to man the traffic. Of this,1100-1200 policemen were made available for monitoring the traffic in new areas. Moreover,police personnel deployed at different points to take care of law and order situation were made to monitor the traffic,he said. However,larger force was required to man the situation properly,he said.

The officials also could not be very effective as the new areas came under the Kolkata Police only a month ago, Bandyopadyay said. He has assured the police would be able to handle the situation in a better way the next year.

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