Central Kolkata's Lal Dighi and surrounding areas would soon be made vehicle-free every weekend starting from Saturday evenings.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said she has mooted a proposal in this regard to the city mayor and Police commissioner to make Lal Dighi area in the central business district of the city car-free from next year.
"We have decided that the Lal Dighi area, where offices close on Saturdays after five, no vehicles will ply till Sunday night 10 pm," the Chief minister said at the inauguration of Biswa Bangla Lok Sanskriti Utsav.
She said people will roam around freely, have food and enjoy cultural programmes in the area.
It might take some time to start the scheme and would start sometime next year, Banerjee said.
Lal Dighi or Dalhousie Square is surrounded by many heritage structures like the Writers' Buildings, GPO and Currency Building.
The programme is being hosted on a unique floating stage on the Lal Dighi. Besides Lal Dighi, the festival is also being held at Princep Ghat on the banks of the Ganga.
