Kolkata: The Red Road was completely shut from Tuesday to facilitate preparations for the International Day of Yoga event, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend. Despite the closure, traffic movement around Esplanade was not crippled, though commute time increased, particularly for bus passengers.
"Unlike Monday, we attempted to ensure traffic flow on both sides of Dufferin Road. However, all buses heading towards Esplanade and Dalhousie were rerouted through Outram Road, Chowringhee Road, and Mayo Road. Some buses from Behala via Lovers Lane were diverted via Kidderpore Road and Strand Road," a police officer stated.
Smaller vehicles bound for Esplanade were diverted via Outram Road instead of Dufferin Road. Police also kept the tail on Mayo Road under control. There were reports of congestion on JL Nehru Road extending to the Park Street flyover. Similarly, traffic on SN Banerjee Road moved slower than usual. Cops attributed the disruption to three rallies held on SN Banerjee Road.
According to an official notice, Red Road has been completely closed to all vehicular movement from 10 pm on June 14 and will remain strictly off-limits until the conclusion of the main program on Sunday. Mayo Road will be shut from 2 am on June 21 to all traffic, except vehicles with special stickers issued for the event.
A security cordon will also fully close major arterial roads around the Maidan area, including Hospital Road, Lovers Lane, Casuarina Avenue, Queensway, Dufferin Road, Outram Road, Plassey Gate Road, Kingsway, Esplanade Ramp, the south-bound stretch of RR Avenue from Esplanade Row East, and Kidderpore Road from Ghora Pass to J&N Island (except bridge-bound and AJC Ramp vehicles).
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