Picnickers keep cops on toes, 400 booked for illegal parking
Times of India | 11 January 2026
Kolkata: Prolonged winter has led to more picnics and outings in the Maidan area and at Alipore zoo, creating a challenge for police to manage the additional flow of pedestrians, particularly on weekends. It also led to an issue of illegal parking near the winter hot spots with the traffic police issuing 400 challans for vehicles left in no-parking zones near zoo, Maidan, Victoria.
While police have decided to put up more sign boards, a traffic and security arrangement is being finalised for Jan 24-26, when a large turnout is expected. "We are well into the new year but people continue to plan outings every weekend, given the pleasant weather," said an officer.
On Saturday, the biggest preparation was in place around the zoo. "The zoo is throwing up the toughest challenge, given the pressure at the PTS crossing," said an officer. "The zoo has opened extra gates but we are pushing for more online ticketing and removal of vendors from the main gate. We plan to restrict the number of buses originating from here so that there is no spilling over of visitors onto roads. We have cops at the two ends of the FOB to avoid a stampede-like situation."
Various traffic guards have also been told to ramp up presence on JL Nehru Road and on the Maidan and set up drop gates, if need be. "Cops will be deployed at 15-20 spots around Maidan on weekend afternoons and evenings to stop illegal parking or jaywalking. We also urge visitors not to cross the road from anywhere other than on zebra crossings or at drop gates. Action is being taken for illegal parking around Maidan," said an assistant commissioner.
At Science City, additional barricading will be in place at the entry points to streamline pedestrian flow.
"WBTC said they rejig bus routes to cover the book fair once buses return from Gangasagar Mela," said a joint CP.