Stuck for Hours, No Help in Sight—Kolkata’s Traffic Nightmare Sparks Outrage

By Staff Reporter: Severe waterlogging triggered by continuous overnight rain brought traffic to a grinding halt across large parts of eastern Kolkata, particularly along the EM Bypass and adjoining areas. The situation was made worse by what many commuters and locals are calling a complete failure on the part of the Bidhannagar Police.

Despite repeated warnings about heavy rainfall, there appeared to be no preemptive traffic or drainage planning in place. While senior Bidhannagar Police officials tried to pin the blame on waterlogging and adverse weather conditions, local residents and daily commuters pointed fingers squarely at the police's lack of foresight and preparedness.

Key arterial roads like the EM Bypass, Salt Lake Sector V connectors, and VIP Road were completely choked from early Friday morning. Vehicles were stranded for hours with no diversion plans or traffic personnel in place to ease the movement. Frustration ran high among office-goers, students, and emergency services who were caught in the unending snarl.

As the rain continued to pour and water levels rose, chaos deepened. Videos of stranded ambulances, buses stuck in knee-deep water, and angry citizens confronting traffic personnel went viral on social media. Many questioned why, year after year, Bidhannagar authorities remain unprepared for predictable monsoon problems.

The anger on the ground is palpable—and growing. For many, this was not just about waterlogging, but about systemic negligence.