CM to open first pandals today, cops focus on traffic

Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will flag off Durga Puja 2025 on Saturday with the inauguration of two of the city's biggest crowd-pullers — Tala Prottoy in north Kolkata and Sreebhumi Sporting in Lake Town.While both pandals will remain shut to visitors on the opening day, Sreebhumi's Akshardham-inspired marquee will welcome the public from Sunday evening, and Tala Prottoy's "Beej Angan" theme will open on Thursday.Bidhannagar Police is ready to tackle crowds from this weekend. An officer said forces will be deployed in two shifts from Saturday, with an extra 1,000 personnel from Sunday, to manage the rush at Sreebhumi, which often leads to snarls on VIP Road. Cops are coordinating with puja organisers to keep traffic smooth.On Sunday, CM Banerjee will attend a book launch at Nazrul Mancha, after which she will inaugurate other pandals, including Naktala Udayan Sangha, 95 Palli, Jodhpur Park, Babubagan, and Chetla Agrani, where she will also draw the idol's eyes. She will then switch to virtual inaugurations of pujas in the districts.Monday's line-up includes Alipore Sarbojanin, Chetla Kolahal Gosthi, Behala Natun Dal, Barisha, Haridevpur 41 Palli, Ajeya Sanhati, Basupur Talbagan, Basupur Sheetala Mandir, Gariahat Hindustan Club, and Kalighat Milan Sangha. The CM's busiest day will be Tuesday, covering pujas, like Mudiali, Shivmandir, Samajsebi, Ballygunge Cultural, Tridhara, 66 Palli, Badamtala, Adi Ballygunge, Ekdalia, and Singhi Park.The Lake Town-Dum Dum Park stretch, home to 16 major pujas, poses one of the biggest traffic challenges. Bidhannagar Police will deploy over 4,000 personnel on VIP Road and Salt Lake. A green channel will be created between Golaghata and Bangur Avenue, giving priority to vehicles on VIP Road. Buses from Ultadanga will use the service road till Golaghata, drop passengers, and then run non-stop to Bangur Avenue, skipping Lake Town. Cops said, if required, a lane will be created on the Kolkata-bound flank for airport-bound traffic. Several bus routes may be diverted. Goods vehicles will be barred from VIP Road, while rickshaws and other slow-moving vehicles will remain banned throughout the puja days.