The West Bengal government would increase the number of state-run buses in the metropolis during the five-dayDurga Puja festival to cope with the massive inflow of people to the city.
Announcing this after a meeting with senior officials, transport minister Madan Mitra said that the number of buses operated by five transport corporations on a regular basis would be increased to 1,600 from 1,000 daily. Nearly 2.5 crore people rush to Kolkata during the festival days to visit mega-budget puja pandals. "It requires a massive transport network to reach people to various destinations, mainly from Howrah, Sealdah, Santragachhi, Ballygunj and Park Circus stations," Mitra said.
Another meeting with officials and five state transport corporations would be held on October 17, the minister said. He hoped the Metro Railway would also strengthen its operation and private bus operators arrange prompt services. Steps had been taken to avoid traffic snarl in the city, he said adding the transport department would open its Control Room at Netaji Indoor Stadium from Oct 17, besides two other control rooms at the Kolkata Police Headquarter and Writers' Buildings soon. Ferry ghat services on the river Hooghly would also be strengthened.
However, movement of autorickshaws would be restricted to some specified areas and definitely not on major roads, the minister said.
