KOLKATA: Ripples of Majerhat bridge crash dominated the co-ordination meeting between the Durga Puja organizers and Kolkata Police on Friday.Representatives of 41 Pally in Haridevpur came up with specific suggestions at the meeting. “We would request the police to stop movement of trucks on the MG Road from Karunamoyee towards Haridevpur and Thakurpukur. At present, trucks are causing snarls from 10pm and this continues till at least 1am. If this continues on Puja days, revellers won’t be able to enjoy pandal-hopping,” said an organizer. His comment drew immediate response from joint CP (headquarters) Supratim Sarkar who said that traffic challenges would be duly addressed by senior officers.The club officials declared they would help cops manage traffic and won’t be putting up big gates to allow free movement of vehicles. It was in this context that they pleaded with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to remove illegal encroachment from the area.Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar , for the second time since September 10, reminded everyone present about the new set of challenges in front of them. “We are confident that the police will be able to tackle the challenges and provide a smooth and better commute than last year,” said Kumar. Sarkar reminded that there are several weeks — and even months — of planning behind the traffic schedule for Pujas and that Behala would figure prominently in it. Sudip Kole from Barisha Club requested cops not to take any decision in isolation. “Please make us part of your plans,” he said.It was not only organizers from Behala who were worried about visitors having difficulties in reaching pandals. Sajal Ghosh from Santosh Mitra Square said: “We want Behala residents to visit our pandal. We would request you to send out enough fillers so that there is no panic about traffic during the Pujas,” said Ghosh.Even Swarup Biswas, Trinamool leader and brother of PWD minister Aroop Biswas, who is a prominent organizer of Suruchi Sangha, spoke about the Majerhat bridge collapse. “The cops are doing a big job. In the initial days after the crash, residents of New Alipore felt whether they could move out. But police — led by top officers — helped ease out the situation. We hope the performance will continue,” he said.

Stay updated with all the Kolkata Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.