Kolkata's iconic Park Street witnessed a massive influx of visitors on the last Sunday before Christmas, as the city's festive spirit kicked into high gear. The famous thoroughfare, adorned with dazzling decorations, attracted a mix of weekend revelers and those seeking an early taste of the Christmas ambiance.
Police Struggle to Manage Unprecedented Footfall
Anticipating the surge, Kolkata Police deployed over 1,500 personnel across the Park Street and New Market corridor. Guardrails were brought in by truck to keep pedestrians confined to pavements. However, the sheer volume of people, especially after 6 PM, overwhelmed these measures. Pedestrians spilled onto the carriageway to take selfies, while motorists slowing down to capture videos of the illuminations worsened congestion, creating snarls stretching to Esplanade.
"We installed guardrails to confine people to the pavements and pedestrian channels, but several slipped through the gaps," admitted a police officer. To bolster security, three watchtowers were set up at key junctions: Park Street–J.L. Nehru Road, AJC Bose Road–Park Street, and the Park Street–Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road connector. Plainclothes detectives, Special Branch personnel, and additional CCTV cameras were also deployed. Senior officers remained on the ground from evening till late night.
Restaurants Packed, Festive Rush Starts Early
The festive energy translated into packed restaurants and record footfall at major city attractions like Alipore Zoo, Victoria Memorial, and Eco Park. Restaurant owners noted the Christmas surge began earlier than usual. Siddharth Kothari, owner of Peter Hu on Free School Street, reported his outlets were fully occupied by early afternoon. He praised the police efforts in managing the situation.
Rajiv Kothari, owner of Bar B Q and One Step Up on Park Street, observed that despite the crowd swell, movement on pavements remained relatively fast. Anticipating even bigger crowds on Christmas Eve, he has decided not to serve liquor beyond 11 PM on New Year's Eve to avoid long queues and chaos.
A Festive Ritual for Locals and Visitors Alike
For many Kolkatans, a pre-Christmas visit to Park Street is a cherished tradition. Kartik Pandit, a businessman from Howrah, has been visiting for nearly 25 years. "It's like a ritual," he said, treating the Sunday visit as a preview for the main Christmas day outing. The allure of Park Street also drew first-time visitors like Kripa, a foreign student mesmerized by social media videos, who visited with her cousin.
With Christmas falling on a Thursday this year, authorities and businesses are bracing for the festive rush to intensify throughout the week, hoping the elaborate security and crowd management measures will ensure a safe and joyful celebration for all.
