After evening lull, revellers descend on Park St to ring in new year, throng other party zones
Times of India | 1 January 2025
1234 Kolkata: After the tsunami of visitors on Park Street on Christmas Day, the crowd barometer dipped in the evening on New Year's Eve, with many deciding to give the party street a skip. But as midnight inched closer, footfall swelled.
After the initial lull, revellers surged in, with crowds building up near Allen Park and Park Hotel. The environment turned vibrant near midnight as visitors from across the city as well as beyond converged on the party street to join the festivities.New Year SpecialUnbelievable! 2025's most powerful zodiac predictions are here50+ Happy New Year 2025 Wishes & Quotes to share joy and cheerNumerology 1-9: What the numbers hold for us next yearVendors did swift business, selling festive items, including red Santa caps, Devil's horns, headbands and decorative eyewear, usually in high demand during the Christmas-New Year period.
"I usually celebrate New Year with my friends on Park Street. Last time it was a Sunday, but this time, I had to balance work with the celebration. I went to office in the morning and after work, some of us have come over to Park Street," said Rupsha Saha, a Naktala resident employed at a private firm. Visitors included people from distant districts. For the likes of Abir Maity, a Midnapore businessman, and Shilpa Mallick from Ranaghat, it was a first-time experience of Park Street. Maity said, "I have heard so much about it, I had to experience it." Mallick said, "I'm amazed at the festivity's dimension."
Several factors were cited as reasons for the evening lull. According to several people, who went to Park Street in earlier years, they chose to avoid it this time as localities in their vicinities were hosting their own New Year's Eve celebrations, which were equally attractive. The fact that New Year was ushered in the middle of the week —it fell on the weekend in the past two years—also turned out to be an important factor as office-goers had to attend work. Kolkata Police and Bidhannagar Police claimed better traffic and crowd management this year led to the steady dispersal of people, which did not lead to crowding. The initial low turnout helped restaurants, as moderate crowds allowed easier access. Still, popular joints witnessed long queues.
Unlike during Christmas, vehicles were allowed on Park Street on Tuesday evening, leading to congestions. But those stuck in their vehicles refused to be bogged down. They played music in their vehicles, with some even stepping out on the street and dancing.
The celebrations in other areas, like Patuli and Lake Town were equally vibrant. "I have come to Sreebhumi with my friends. We avoided Park Street, fearing it would be too crowded," said Angsheeta Dey, a student from Baghajatin. A student from Lake Town, Dipanjana Pramanik, said, "I visit Sreebhumi on NY Eve every year."
Traditional year-end crowd-pullers, including Maidan, Victoria, zoo, Eco Park, Science City, Nicco Park, and newer attractions, Alipore Museum and Aircraft Museum also teemed with people though the number was reportedly fewer than that on ‘Burra Din'.