If you plan to move around central and south Kolkata between 8 and 11 November, read this before you leave home. Kolkata Police have announced a four-day set of traffic curbs for Kali Puja on Sunday, 8 November, and the three days of immersion processions that follow on 9, 10 and 11 November. Goods vehicles will be pushed off city roads for long stretches, dozens of roads will be closed or diverted in the evening, and the area around the Kalighat temple will be shut to wheeled traffic at the busiest hours.
The notifications were issued by Police Commissioner Ajay Nand. Because Kali Puja falls on a Sunday this year, the usual weekday office rush is not a factor, but the combination of late-night pandal visits, Diwali shopping and heavy truck diversions can still turn a short trip into a long one. Here is what has been announced and how to plan around it.
Key Dates at a Glance
- 5 to 8 November: Idol-carrying vehicles must use designated routes instead of Rabindra Sarani (from 10 pm on 5 November to 5 am on 8 November).
- 8 November (Sunday): Kali Puja day, with the heaviest road curbs from 4 pm.
- 9, 10 and 11 November: Immersion processions, with 43 roads affected each evening.
Goods Vehicle Ban: What Applies When
Goods vehicles that are not carrying Kali Puja idols are barred from city roads from 6 am on 8 November until 4 am on 9 November. Smaller commercial vehicles under 1,600 kg may run until 4 pm on 8 November, and light goods vehicles are allowed between noon and 4 pm. During the immersion days, goods vehicles without idols face restrictions from 8 am to 4 am the next morning on each of the three days.
Ambulances, fire tenders, vehicles carrying oxygen and medicines, essential food supply vehicles, Kolkata Municipal Corporation vehicles and media vehicles are exempt. If you run a shop or a small business that depends on deliveries, schedule stock before the morning of 8 November, since the ban starts at 6 am.
Central Kolkata on 8 November
From 4 pm on 8 November until 4 am the next day, 17 major roads in central Kolkata will see traffic restrictions. Examples named in the PTI report include Bankim Chatterjee Street, Surya Sen Street, S N Banerjee Road, Rash Behari Avenue, College Street and Lenin Sarani. Buses will be diverted via Rash Behari Avenue and APC Roy Road.
Separately, parking, passenger pick-up and drop-off, and goods loading or unloading are banned on 24 roads over the same window. College Street, S N Banerjee Road and Prince Anwar Shah Road are among the examples given. The complete road lists were not published in the reports we reviewed, so check Kolkata Police’s official notices and their social media handles for the full schedule before you travel.
Kalighat Temple Area
Kalighat is the heart of Kali Puja in the city, and the police have planned the tightest control here. Vehicle movement will be suspended on Kalighat Road, Rash Behari Avenue, Sadananda Road and Hazra Road in two phases: from 5 am to 11 am, and again from 5 pm on 8 November until 4 am on 9 November. If you are visiting the temple, plan to arrive on foot or by Metro and walk the last stretch. Our guide to first and last Metro timings by line will help you plan a late return.
Immersion Days: 9, 10 and 11 November
Immersion processions head to the Hooghly ghats, including Babughat, Baje Kadamtala Ghat and Nimtala Ghat. On each of the three days, 43 roads, including Beadon Street, Nimtala Ghat Street, Strand Road, Garden Reach Road and Kalighat Road, will carry restrictions from 4 pm to 3 am. Vehicles other than those carrying idols for immersion will be diverted from these stretches, and parking is prohibited on several roads during these hours.
Idol-carrying vehicles may not use AJC Bose Road, Hospital Road, Queensway, Park Street, Shakespeare Sarani, Maa Flyover, AJC Bose Flyover or Kalighat Bridge. Millennium Post also reports a ban on Zeerut Bridge because of height restrictions.
Practical Tips for Commuters and Families
- Use the Metro for evening trips on 8 November and avoid taking a car near College Street, Rash Behari Avenue or Kalighat after 4 pm.
- Book app cabs well ahead and expect longer pick-up times and surge pricing near closed stretches.
- Keep ID and any essential medical papers handy if you must travel by vehicle through diversions.
- Follow constable and traffic guard instructions on the ground, since diversions can change with crowd size.
- Do not park along roads marked for no-parking. Vehicles may be towed.
- If you have a flight or train, leave early. Our Metro station security report shows how crowded stations can get during festival weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Kali Puja in Kolkata in 2026?
Kali Puja falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026, according to the police notification reported by Millennium Post and PTI.
Are buses running on Kali Puja night?
Buses will run, but diversions apply. Buses are being diverted via Rash Behari Avenue and APC Roy Road from 4 pm on 8 November.
Is the Kalighat temple area open to vehicles?
No, not at peak hours. Vehicle movement is suspended from 5 am to 11 am and from 5 pm on 8 November until 4 am on 9 November on the main roads around the temple.
Can goods vehicles deliver during the restrictions?
Only within the allowed windows or under the exemptions for emergency and essential supplies. Plan deliveries before 6 am on 8 November.
Where can I find the full list of roads?
The press reports gave examples only. The full lists are in the Kolkata Police traffic notifications, which are best checked on the force’s official channels.
The Bottom Line
Kali Puja week is joyful but slow on the roads. With goods vehicle bans from 6 am on 8 November, evening closures on 17 central roads, and 43 roads affected on each immersion day, the smart plan is to travel early, take the Metro and walk the last mile. Check official police notices for the exact road lists, and give yourself extra time.
Sources: Millennium Post report dated 31 October 2026 on the traffic curbs announced by Kolkata Police; PTI report published on ThePrint on 1 November 2026. This article is a rewrite based on those reports and is not an official notification.
Featured image: Maa Kali, photo by Ratul Pal on Unsplash.
