The West Bengal government started the Red Road carnival in 2016 to celebrate the last rides of Maa Durga. In 2025, the participating committees will be increased to 113; these are all award winners of this year's puja. Last year, only 89 puja committees participated, and in 2022-2023, 100 participants joined the carnival.
The UNESCO-recognized heritage will get an international touch this year, consuls general from 15 countries will represent Australia, Bangladesh, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, the United States, Bhutan, and China as they have been invited to attend Kolkata's great cultural exhibition.
The Red Road will groove with Maa Durga’s farewell rhythm as the grand colourful procession will show traditional touches, including songs, music, dance, and electrifying lighting. The Puja carnival is one of the most anticipated events of the year, as a wave of people gathers to see the grandeur with a mix of devotion.
Details of Traffic restrictions
The carnival occurs on a one-kilometre stretch from Fort Williams to Akashbani Bhaban. Kolkata police, under the supervision of Commissioner Manoj Verma, issued a traffic restriction to ensure safety and hassle-free management, per Times Now.
Red Road, Lovers Lane, Queensway, Plassey Gate Road, Khidderpore Road (from Hastings crossing to Lovers Lane), and the Esplanade Ramp are among the main roads that will be closed for vehicular traffic from 2:00 pm till the event's conclusion.
On Sunday, the Red Road was also closed from midnight (00:00 hrs) to 9 a.m. for infrastructure preparations.
The Red Road traffic will again be monitored and restricted as needed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Vehicles that will be coming from Vidyasagar Setu will also be affected by the closure of Khidderpore Road from Hastings Crossing to Lovers Lane, effective from 2:00 pm.
Hospital Road (northbound) from its intersection with AJC Bose Road will be closed to all cars except emergency-related vehicles.
Only stickered vehicles will be allowed along Mayo Road (westbound) from the JL Nehru Road junction.
Several roads will face parking restrictions from 12 pm, including
Government Place West (between R R Avenue and Esplanade Row West)
Chowringhee Road, J L Nehru Road, Cathedral Road, Queensway, Mayo Road, Strand Road
Bentinck Street (western flank between C R Avenue and G C Avenue)
R N Mukherjee Road, Hare Street, and Old Court House Street (western side between Government Place North and Larkin Lane).
As Kolkata is all set for the Puja carnival, Metrorail Kolkata has also announced extra trains
The Blue Line's special services leave Shahid Khudiram for Dakshineswar at 10:03, 10:23, and 10:43 p.m.
At 9:53, 10:13, and 10:33 p.m., there will be services from Dakshineswar to Shahid Khudiram.
Special services will be offered on the Green Line from Salt Lake Sector V to Howrah Maidan at 10:20, 10:40, and 11:00 p.m.
Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V services start at 10:20, 10:40, and 11:00 p.m.
