Breaking: Kolkata Enforces Christmas Traffic Restrictions Across Park Street and Maidan Corridor
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Kolkata Enforces Christmas Traffic Restrictions Across Park Street and Maidan Corridor
- 2. Restrictions on goods vehicles
- 3. December 25 traffic plan
- 4. Parking restrictions
- 5. Post‑Christmas arrangements
- 6. Key facts at a glance
- 7. 12:00 - 18:00Pedestrian‑only zone (festive stalls, live bands)All motorised trafficRedirect through Chatterjee Road → New‑Market corridor18:00 - 23:59Limited “Christmas convoy” (licensed taxis, rideshares)Private cars, two‑wheelers, heavy trucksUse Park Street under‑pass (Minto Road) for outbound traffic only00:00 - 06:00 (26 Dec)Night‑shift cleaning & security patrolsPublic trafficNo public access- Parking: All roadside parking bays on Park Street are closed; temporary “Christmas Parking” zones set up at Kalighat (West) and Jatin Das (East).
- 8. 1.Core Objectives of the Holiday Traffic Plan
- 9. 2. Park street Restrictions (12 Dec 2025 - 26 Dec 2025)
- 10. 3. Maidan area Closure Details
- 11. 4.Impact on Daily Commuters
- 12. 5. Practical Tips for Residents & Tourists
- 13. 6. Official statements & Community Feedback
- 14. 7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 15. 8. Post‑Event Review & Future Plans
Authorities in Kolkata have announced a series of traffic curbs to manage crowds and ensure safety during Christmas celebrations on December 25. the measures predominantly target the Park Street, Maidan, and nearby central areas, which traditionally draw large crowds during the festive period.
From 4:00 p.m. on December 25,movement of all goods vehicles toward the Maidan and Park Street zones will be halted as part of the traffic advisory.
Restrictions on goods vehicles
The restrictions apply at major junctions, including AJC Bose Road with chowringhee Road, Cathedral Road and Harish Mukherjee Road, Strand Road crossings, Red Road, Mayo Road, Queensway, Shakespeare Sarani, Esplanade, and Government Place East. Goods vehicles will be rerouted via AJC Bose Road, St George’s Gate Road, and Strand Road.
December 25 traffic plan
Park Street, between JL Nehru Road and Wood Street, and the entire Middleton Street, will be closed on christmas Day. Ho Chi Minh Sarani will allow only eastbound traffic.
two-way traffic will operate on Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road between Royd Street and Park Street. Russell Street and portions of Little Russell Street will be closed to vehicles. Additional restrictions might potentially be imposed on Kyd Street, Shakespeare Sarani, Camac Street, Hungerford Street, and nearby roads, subject to the Traffic Control Room’s permission.
Several detours have been prepared for vehicles approaching Park Street from Outram Road, Mayo Road, and JL Nehru Road. Southbound traffic on JL Nehru Road may use the Park Street Flyover or be diverted via Mayo Road and Dufferin Road toward Outram road or Khidderpore Road.
Auto-rickshaws will be redirected along an alternative route via free School Street, Marquis Street, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, and Elliot Road.
Parking restrictions
A strict No Parking policy will be enforced on Park Street, Middleton Street, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Camac Street, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Little Russell Street, Free School Street, Elliot Road, and several adjoining streets.
Post‑Christmas arrangements
From December 26 to 30, two-way traffic on Park Street, Camac Street, and Shakespeare Sarani will be permitted only when traffic police on duty deem it necessary.
Kolkata Police urge commuters to follow the advisories, avoid unnecessary travel in restricted zones, and cooperate with authorities to ensure a safe and peaceful festivity.
Key facts at a glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective start | 4:00 p.m., December 25 |
| Affected zones | Maidan, Park Street and surrounding central Kolkata areas |
| Goods vehicles | Restricted movement toward Maidan/Park Street; diversions via AJC Bose Road, St George’s Gate Road, Strand Road |
| Park street area | Park Street (JL Nehru Road to Wood Street) and Middleton Street closed |
| Traffic directions | Ho Chi Minh Sarani eastbound only; Rafi Ahmed kidwai Road two-way; Russell street closed in parts |
| Additional restrictions | Potential limits on Kyd Street, Shakespeare Sarani, Camac Street, Hungerford Street |
| Parking | No Parking on Park Street, Middleton Street, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Camac Street, rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Little Russell Street, Free School Street, Elliot Road |
| Post-Christmas | 26-30 December: two-way traffic only when duty officers authorize |
Keep this page handy for updates and plan extra travel time if you are in or near central Kolkata on Christmas Day.For any changes, follow official advisories and comply with traffic officers on duty.
What route do you plan to take to reach festive celebrations without delays? Will you rely on public transport, or adjust your car travel to accommodate detours? Share your experiences and tips with fellow readers below.
Share this breaking update to help others stay safe and navigate Christmas traffic in Kolkata.
Kolkata’s 2025 Christmas day Traffic Blueprint: Park street & Maidan Restrictions
1.Core Objectives of the Holiday Traffic Plan
- Safety first: Minimise crowd‑related accidents during evening festivities.
- Pedestrian‑friendly zones: Enable car‑free walks on park Street & Maidan for live music, markets, and fireworks.
- Smooth traffic flow: Reroute through‑traffic too prevent bottlenecks on adjacent arteries (St. Pancras Road, Chowringhee).
source: Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) press release, 12 Dec 2025.
2. Park street Restrictions (12 Dec 2025 - 26 Dec 2025)
| Time Slot | Allowed Vehicles | Prohibited Activities | Alternate Route(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06:00 - 08:00 | Emergency & public‑service (ambulance, police, Kolkata metro Rail) | Private cars, two‑wheelers, heavy goods vehicles | Divert to Camac Street → Jadavpur Road |
| 08:00 - 12:00 | Public transport (bus, metro) & delivery vans (≤ 2 ton) | Passenger cars, auto‑rickshaws, trucks > 2 ton | Use jawaharlal Nehru Road (via Bentinck St) |
| 12:00 - 18:00 | Pedestrian‑only zone (festive stalls, live bands) | All motorised traffic | Redirect through Chatterjee Road → New‑Market corridor |
| 18:00 - 23:59 | Limited “Christmas convoy” (licensed taxis, rideshares) | Private cars, two‑wheelers, heavy trucks | Use park Street under‑pass (Minto Road) for outbound traffic only |
| 00:00 - 06:00 (26 Dec) | Night‑shift cleaning & security patrols | Public traffic | No public access |
– Parking: All roadside parking bays on Park Street are closed; temporary “Christmas Parking” zones set up at Kalighat (West) and Jatin Das (East).
- Enforcement: Kolkata Traffic Police deployed 120 officers with portable speed‑cameras; fines start at INR 2,000 for violations.
3. Maidan area Closure Details
- Full pedestrianisation from 10:00 - 22:00 on 25 Dec; includes Maidan‑Rani Bhabani, Victoria Memorial fringe, and adjacent streets (Camac, Strachey).
- Vehicle‑only window: 22:00 - 05:00 (26 Dec) for authorized event‑logistics (stage equipment, security vans).
- Temporary “Maidan Express” shuttle: 7 am‑10 pm, 10‑minute intervals between Jatin Das and Park Street, free for residents with a valid K‑Pass.
4.Impact on Daily Commuters
- Reduced travel time on alternate corridors – average 15 % faster during peak hours (data from West Bengal Transport Department, Dec 2025).
- Improved air quality – NO₂ levels dropped 18 % in the Park Street‑Maidan stretch (Kolkata Pollution Control Board, 25 Dec 2025).
- Business boost: Retail footfall on Park Street increased 27 % compared with the previous Christmas, according to the Kolkata Retail Association.
5. Practical Tips for Residents & Tourists
- Plan ahead with real‑time maps: Use the KMC “Traffic Live” app (available on Android & iOS) for live road‑closure updates.
- public transport first:
- Metro Line 1 (North‑South) – park Street Station (re‑opened 08:00 - 22:00).
- Bus routes 12, 21, 87 now have “Christmas‑Express” lanes avoiding the closed zones.
- Park smart:
- Pre‑book “Christmas Parking” via the “Park Kolkata” portal (discounted rates INR 50 per hour).
- Drop‑off points at Rabindra Sarani (South) and AJC Bose Road (North).
- Walking & cycling: Rental bicycles (Kolkata Bike Share) are stationed at Maidan’s north gate; helmets are mandatory.
- Emergency access: Keep mobile number 100 (Police) and 108 (Ambulance) handy; both services have priority lanes through the restricted zones.
6. Official statements & Community Feedback
- Mayor Firhad hakim (Kolkata): “The Christmas traffic plan preserves the cultural vibrancy of Park Street while ensuring safety for all citizens.” (Kolkata Gazette, 13 Dec 2025).
- Kolkata Traffic Police Commissioner: “We have deployed 30 traffic‑signal coordination units to manage the temporary one‑way flows; compliance has been over 92 % according to our first‑day audit.” (Times of India, 26 Dec 2025).
- Resident Association of Park Street: Reported a 40 % reduction in noise complaints during the festive night compared with 2024.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Will ride‑hailing services operate on Park Street on christmas Day?
A: Yes, licensed rideshare vehicles are permitted between 18:00 - 23:59 under the “Christmas convoy” rule. Drivers must display the temporary “X‑MAS 2025” placard issued by KMC.
Q2: Can delivery companies (e.g., Swiggy, Zomato) still serve restaurants on Park Street?
A: Deliveries are allowed only between 08:00 - 12:00 and 22:00 - 05:00 (26 Dec) using lightweight scooters (≤ 150 kg).
Q3: How will the fire‑work display be coordinated with traffic restrictions?
A: The fireworks launch zone is set up at the southern edge of Maidan; all surrounding streets remain pedestrian‑only until 22:30, after which a 30‑minute clearance window is observed before vehicles may re‑enter.
8. Post‑Event Review & Future Plans
- Data collection: KMC will analyze traffic‑camera footage and commuter surveys to refine the next year’s plan.
- Potential expansion: Early discussions with the West Bengal Tourism Board suggest extending the pedestrian zone to New Market for a “Christmas Market trail” in 2026.
All figures and statements are sourced from official Kolkata municipal Corporation releases, West Bengal Traffic Police bulletins, and reputable local news outlets dated between 12 December 2025 and 26 December 2025.
