Which roads are closed in Kolkata during Durga Puja 2026?

From about 3 or 4 pm each day from 13 to 19 October, dozens of roads near the big pandals close to all vehicles except those of people who live on them. Named in the order: B.K. Paul Avenue, Bhaba Nath Sen Street, Dover Lane, Charu Avenue, Tilak Road, North Sealdah Road, Kalighat Road.

Is Strand Road one-way during Durga Puja?

Yes. Strand Road and St Georges Gate Road run one-way, north to south, from 3 pm each day until the immersions are over.

Can I drive to the pandals during Puja?

You can, but it is the slowest way to do it. Roads around the big pujas close in the afternoon, parking is banned on the main routes, and the metro runs all night on the peak days. Take the metro, then walk.

When are goods vehicles banned in Kolkata during Puja?

From 13 to 19 October, goods vehicles are barred from the city for most of each day, roughly from early morning to the small hours, with exemptions for emergency and essential supplies. From 20 to 24 October, during immersions, the ban runs from 8 am to 5 am.

Kolkata Durga Puja 2026 traffic advisory

The short version: from 13 to 19 October, roads around the big pandals close to traffic from about 3 or 4 pm, and Strand Road turns one-way. Don't drive to the pandals. Take the metro, which runs all night on the peak days, and walk the last stretch.

Updated 11 October 2026. Police change diversions on the spot as crowds build, so follow the officers on the ground.

Roads closed every afternoon, 13 to 19 October

From about 3 or 4 pm, open only to vehicles belonging to people who live on them. These are the roads named in the order; many smaller lanes near pandals close too.

B.K. Paul Avenue
Bhaba Nath Sen Street
Dover Lane
Charu Avenue
Tilak Road
North Sealdah Road
Kalighat Road

One-ways and diversions

From 3 pm daily until the immersions are over.

Strand Road and St Georges Gate Road: one-way, north to south.
Diversions on more than 50 roads, including Strand Road, Nimtala Ghat Street, Beadon Street, Baghbazar Street.
Vehicles carrying idols are barred from the AJC Bose Road and Maa flyovers.
No parking on the main routes, and set routes to each immersion ghat.

Goods vehicles and immersion days

13–19 Oct: barred from the city from early morning (6–8 am) to the small hours (midnight–4 am). Light goods vehicles may move 12–3 pm. Emergency and essential supplies are exempt.
20–24 Oct (immersions): barred 8 am to 5 am, except vehicles in immersion processions.
26–27 Oct (Lakshmi Puja immersions): barred 8 am to 4 am.

Getting around anyway

Pick one part of the city a night: north, south, central or Salt Lake. Crossing the city after 4 pm is where the evening goes.
Plan a walking route before you leave and share it with your group, so nobody is stuck in a cab when the road closes.
Cabs and autos drop you at the closure, not the pandal. Allow for the walk.

Help on the night

Emergency: 112
Kolkata Traffic Police helpline: 1073, and live updates on kolkatatrafficpolice.gov.in

Source: Modern Force, summarising the Kolkata Police order reported by The Telegraph (8 Oct 2026). This page is an independent summary, not an official notice.