Durga Puja 2025 Road Safety in Kolkata: The festive season of Durga Puja in Kolkata is a time of grandeur, lights, processions, and cultural celebration. Yet, amid the joy, one recurring challenge looms large—road safety. Every year, thousands take to the streets on two-wheelers to visit pandals, celebrate with friends, and enjoy late-night outings. Unfortunately, this also leads to a surge in traffic violations, particularly drunk driving, rash riding, and helmetless biking.
In 2025, Kolkata witnessed a record-breaking number of biker prosecutions, reaching the highest figure in the past decade. The enforcement drive, spearheaded by the Kolkata Police Traffic Department, reflects both growing concerns over road safety and the challenges of managing festive crowds in a city that embraces Puja as a cultural lifeline.
Durga Puja 2025 Road Safety in Kolkata: The Surge in Biker Prosecutions
According to official data from the Kolkata Police, thousands of bikers were booked during the five-day Durga Puja festivities. The violations ranged from:
- Drunk driving – a leading cause of road accidents during the festival.
- Helmetless riding – often ignored in late-night rides.
- Triple riding – with friends or family squeezed on a single bike.
- Overspeeding and stunts – young bikers performing wheelies or racing through crowded roads.
- Signal violations and reckless overtaking – particularly in high-traffic zones near pandals.
This crackdown marked a decade-high number of prosecutions, signaling a stricter zero-tolerance policy by law enforcement agencies.
Why Durga Puja Amplifies Road Safety Risks
Durga Puja in Kolkata is unlike any other festival in India. Millions hit the streets to view pandal decorations, idols, and cultural programs. Several factors contribute to the spike in biker violations during this period:
- Massive Footfall – With crowds thronging streets, traffic diversions become unavoidable, leading bikers to take shortcuts or break rules.
- All-Night Festivities – Pandals remain open late, and bikers often ride through the city in the early hours when traffic enforcement is difficult.
- Peer Pressure & Thrill – Many youngsters see late-night biking as a way to celebrate, often indulging in risky stunts.
- Alcohol Consumption – Festive gatherings often involve alcohol, increasing the risk of drunk driving cases.
Police Measures and Crackdown Strategy
To manage the surge, the Kolkata Police Traffic Wing deployed one of its largest-ever forces during Durga Puja 2025. The steps included:
- Naka checking (roadblocks) at major intersections to test bikers for alcohol consumption.
- Breathalyzer tests on riders suspected of drunk driving.
- Special enforcement teams stationed near popular pandals.
- Drone surveillance and CCTV monitoring for rash driving hotspots.
- Mobile control rooms for real-time monitoring of traffic violations.
- Seizure of bikes in severe violation cases, with riders required to collect them only after paying fines and producing valid documents.
Officials emphasized that the focus was not just on penalizing offenders but also on preventing accidents and saving lives.
Penalties and Legal Action
Those caught violating rules faced heavy penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (amended 2019). Common fines included:
- Drunk driving – ₹10,000 fine and/or imprisonment.
- Riding without helmet – ₹1,000 fine plus license suspension.
- Triple riding – ₹2,000 fine.
- Overspeeding – ₹1,000–₹2,000 depending on severity.
Repeat offenders were subject to stricter action, including license cancellation and court trials.
For reference:
- Government of India – Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
- West Bengal Police Official Website
- Kolkata Police Official Website
Impact of Enforcement on Public Behavior
The crackdown sparked mixed reactions among the public:
- Positive Response – Many families and senior citizens welcomed the strict enforcement, noting that safer roads meant safer Puja celebrations.
- Resistance from Youth – Some youngsters complained of “harassment,” especially when their bikes were seized. Social media saw debates over whether police were being “too strict” or “just doing their job.”
- Awareness Impact – Road safety campaigns run parallel to enforcement drives helped highlight the dangers of reckless biking. Posters, LED boards, and announcements at pandals urged bikers to “Ride Safe, Celebrate Safe.”
The Grim Reality of Accidents
Despite efforts, Kolkata still recorded several road accidents during Durga Puja, many of them linked to biker negligence. Accident data shows a clear trend:
- Most victims are between 18–30 years old.
- Helmetless riding leads to severe head injuries.
- Late-night crashes occur due to overspeeding and alcohol consumption.
A senior officer pointed out: “Every year, we lose young lives because of reckless driving during Puja. These are avoidable tragedies, which is why strict prosecution is necessary.”
Technology in Traffic Management
Durga Puja 2025 also showcased how technology is transforming traffic enforcement in Kolkata:
- AI-enabled CCTV cameras detected signal jumping and overspeeding.
- E-challan system ensured fines were automatically recorded against vehicle numbers.
- Drones provided live monitoring of congested zones.
Such digital enforcement is part of a larger shift towards smart city traffic management systems, helping police track offenders more efficiently.
Comparisons with Previous Years
The sharp rise in biker prosecutions this year reflects not only stricter enforcement but also increased violations. Over the past decade:
- 2015–2017 – Prosecutions were moderate, with limited surveillance technology.
- 2018–2019 – Numbers rose after the Motor Vehicles Act amendment introduced heavier fines.
- 2020–2021 – COVID-19 restrictions led to fewer public gatherings and reduced prosecutions.
- 2022–2024 – Gradual rise again as public festivities returned in full force.
- 2025 – The highest-ever spike, signaling both more violations and stricter policing.
Lessons for the Future
While punitive measures deter offenders, experts argue that long-term road safety requires behavioral change. Recommendations include:
- Stronger Public Awareness Campaigns – Targeting young bikers through social media, college programs, and community outreach.
- Partnership with Puja Committees – Encouraging pandal organizers to promote safe driving messages.
- Stricter Licensing Systems – Ensuring young riders undergo comprehensive training before obtaining licenses.
- Enhanced Infrastructure – Better lighting, signboards, and designated parking zones to reduce chaos.
Conclusion
Durga Puja is Kolkata’s pride, but it also tests the city’s resilience in managing traffic and safety. The decade-high biker prosecutions in 2025 underline the seriousness with which authorities are treating reckless biking. While critics may see the crackdown as heavy-handed, the reality is that road safety saves lives.
The festival spirit thrives when citizens can celebrate without fear of accidents. And for that, the combined effort of police, civic bodies, puja organizers, and the public is essential.
As Kolkata looks to future Pujas, the challenge will remain the same: balancing celebration with responsibility on the roads.
✅ External Reference Links for Context:
- Kolkata Police – Official Website
- West Bengal Police – Government of West Bengal
- MoRTH – Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India
- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) – Road Accident Statistics
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