Kolkata is set to witness heightened security arrangements on Saturday as the swearing-in ceremony of the new West Bengal government will take place at Brigade Parade Ground. Suvendu Adhikari is all set to become the new Chief Minister of West Bengal, marking a historic moment as the state prepares to get its first-ever BJP government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with chief ministers from 23 states and several senior BJP leaders, is expected to attend the event.
With thousands of people likely to gather in central Kolkata, the city police have announced major traffic restrictions and parking regulations across several key roads.
Traffic movement to be restricted across Central Kolkata
According to a special notification issued by the Kolkata Traffic Police, vehicular movement will remain restricted on several roads surrounding the Brigade Parade Ground area.
The affected stretches include
Esplanade Ramp
Kidderpore Road
Hospital Road
Lovers Lane
Casuarina Avenue
Queens Way
The restrictions will remain in force from 4 AM to 8 PM on Saturday.
Also Read | Suvendu Adhikari set to become Bengal’s first BJP Chief Minister
Goods vehicles banned for 16 hours
The Kolkata Traffic Police has also imposed a temporary ban on the movement of goods vehicles within the city during the security period.
The restriction will remain effective from 4 AM to 8 PM on Saturday. However, vehicles involved in essential services have been exempted from the ban.
These include vehicles carrying
Vegetables
Medicines
Milk
Oxygen supplies
Along with traffic diversions, parking restrictions have also been imposed in and around the venue area.
Parking of vehicles will not be allowed on
AJC Bose Road in front of Victoria Memorial
Kidderpore Road
Hospital Road
Queens Way
Cathedral Road
Lovers Lane
Motorists have been advised to avoid these routes and use alternate roads to prevent congestion.
Also Read | What is BJP’s projected 2026-Bengal cabinet? Here's a full list of old faces, and new equations
Massive security arrangements in place
Saturday’s ceremony is politically significant as the BJP is set to form the government in West Bengal for the first time since Independence. The chief minister and other members of the new cabinet will take the oath at Brigade Parade Ground in the presence of top national leaders.
No official announcement has yet been made regarding the list of ministers who will be inducted into the cabinet.
Given the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders, security arrangements across Kolkata have been tightened considerably.
