Abhijit Ray
Kolkata’s traffic system collapses every single day under the unchecked menace of Totos,autos,and cycle rickshaws.
Main roads are jammed from dawn to midnight, ambulances get trapped, and ordinary commuters are left helpless.
With the new BJP government now in office, residents are demanding immediate action to stop the chaos.
City Brought To A Standstill
From Shyambazar to Gariahat,Howrah Bridge to Ruby Crossing,and Sealdah to Esplanade,the story is the same.
Totos and autos stop anywhere,occupy two or three lanes, and turn every major crossing into a choke point.
Cycle rickshaws and illegal vano carriers further clog narrow stretches in Burrabazar,College Street,and Posta.
Kolkata Traffic Police data for June 2026 shows average peak-hour speeds on Central Avenue,APC Road,and Rashbehari Avenue have crashed to 4-6 km/h.
On many days,it is faster to walk than to drive. Buses run 50 to 70 minutes late daily.
Hospital authorities at NRS Medical College and SSKM report ambulance delays have jumped by 40% this month, with Totos and autos blocking emergency routes cited as the main reason.
Scale Of The Problem :
KMC records put the number of Totos in the city at over 1.2 lakh, with only 38,000 carrying valid permits. More than 22,000 autos ply without approved route charts.
Thousands of unlicensed rickshaws and vanos add to the load. Footpaths, bus stops,and zebra crossings have become illegal stands,forcing pedestrians onto the road.
“ A 5 km trip takes 75 minutes.We are paying the price every day.Children miss school, patients miss appointments, and businesses lose customers,”said Ananya Mitra,a resident of Behala who commutes to Dalhousie daily.
Traders in New Market,Chandni Chowk,and Gariahat say footfall has dropped sharply because buyers avoid gridlocked zones.School buses are stuck for hours, disrupting classes across the city.
Public Appeal To New BJP Government
Citizens and commuter associations are now directly appealing to the newly formed BJP state government to end the crisis.
During the election campaign, the party had promised to restore traffic discipline and protect the rights of daily commuters.
The core demand is clear: impose a total ban on Totos, autos, and cycle rickshaws on all major roads of Kolkata.
This includes Central Avenue, Chittaranjan Avenue,APC Road, Rashbehari Avenue,EM Bypass main carriageway, VIP Road,and all approach roads to Howrah and Sealdah stations.
“Main roads must be reserved for buses,official vehicles, taxis,and emergency services.They cannot be left at the mercy of last-mile three-wheelers.
The new government was elected on the promise of change.We request immediate notification of the ban,” said the Kolkata Commuters Welfare Association in a public statement.
Action Plan Demanded
Immediate ban order removing Totos,autos,and rickshaws from all notified arterial roads.
Strict enforcement through CCTV, on-spot fines,and impounding of violating vehicles.
Alternate feeder routes for last-mile connectivity, confined to residential lanes only.
Rehabilitation measures for affected drivers through state skill-training and employment schemes.
Kolkata’s traffic fails every morning and stays paralyzed till night.The city cannot wait any longer.The new BJP government has the mandate and the public backing to act. Citizens are asking for one thing: free the main roads,and free Kolkata.
