kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata, June 3, 2025 — Daily commuters and residents from Dum Dum to Nagerbazar and Shyambazar are increasingly voicing their frustration over the worsening traffic congestion and lack of effective traffic management in these densely populated areas of North Kolkata. The chaotic situation, they claim, has turned routine travel into a nightmare, with even short distances taking over an hour during peak hours.

These complaints have grown louder in recent weeks as vehicular movement continues to remain sluggish throughout the day, especially around key junctions like Dum Dum Metro Station, Nagerbazar crossing, and the busy Shyambazar Five-Point Crossing. Citizens have repeatedly demanded intervention from Kolkata Traffic Police and municipal authorities, but say that no lasting solution has been implemented so far 

One of the primary issues contributing to the traffic mess is the narrow nature of most roads in these areas, which are now struggling to cope with the volume of vehicles. Local people say encroachments by hawkers, illegal parking, and a lack of traffic signal coordination only add to the chaos.

“Every morning, autos and buses are parked haphazardly near Dum Dum Metro. Pedestrians barely get space to walk, let alone cross safely. There are traffic police present, but they often just stand and watch,” complained Ranjita Das, a daily commuter who travels from Nagerbazar to College Street.

Many also blame the surge in app-based cabs and two-wheelers for clogging arterial roads, especially during office hours. With school buses, rickshaws, private vehicles, and delivery vans all competing for limited space, the situation quickly becomes unmanageable 

The historic Five-Point Crossing at Shyambazar, which connects important routes such as B.T. Road, Bidhan Sarani, and A.P.C. Road, remains a key congestion point. Although traffic signals operate there, locals claim they are poorly timed, and during rain or power cuts, the area turns into a gridlock zone.

“It takes 25 to 30 minutes just to cross Shyambazar. There’s no proper traffic diversion or signal synchronisation. Buses often block the entire crossing,” said Ashok Ghosh, a shop owner in the area 

Another key concern raised by residents is the lack of proper last-mile infrastructure near Dum Dum and Nagerbazar. While the Dum Dum Metro and railway station serve thousands of passengers daily, the feeder transport services — such as autos and mini buses — operate without clear routes or traffic marshals, leading to unregulated stoppages and chaos outside the stations.

Moreover, there are few designated pick-up and drop-off points, forcing people to navigate through clogged footpaths and stalled vehicles 

Officials from the Kolkata Traffic Police admit that traffic has worsened in the Dum Dum–Nagerbazar–Shyambazar corridor, largely due to increased vehicle numbers and ongoing urban construction work. “We are currently reviewing traffic signal timings and working with KMC (Kolkata Municipal Corporation) to reduce encroachments,” said a senior officer from the North Traffic Guard.

There are also plans to introduce more no-parking zones, regulate auto-rickshaw stands, and implement better signage in high-traffic areas. However, locals argue that these promises have been made before with little actual progress on the ground 

Until a comprehensive traffic management system is put in place, residents of these vital neighbourhoods in North Kolkata will likely continue battling long commutes, missed appointments, and daily frustration. As one Nagerbazar resident put it, “It feels like no one is listening. The roads are crumbling, the chaos is constant, and we’re the ones suffering every single day.”