Kolkata, 15 July (H.S.) -
With the crucial July 21 Shahid Diwas rally just days away, preparations are in full swing for what is being considered Trinamool Congress's last major political show of strength before the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. This year, the annual rally holds special political significance and is being planned as a grand event by the party.
On Tuesday, the stage construction for the rally will formally begin with the traditional ‘Khunti Puja’ ceremony near Victoria House in central Kolkata. Senior leaders of the party are expected to attend the ritual, marking the symbolic start of rally preparations.
However, weather conditions and logistical issues are emerging as significant hurdles. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself has previously remarked that “rain and July 21 have an old connection,” and this year appears to be no different. The India Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall on the day of the rally, along with unstable weather and heavy showers over the next seven days across Bengal.
Kolkata’s streets are already grappling with waterlogging, and the rally venue at the Maidan is muddy and partially submerged. This poses a serious concern for parking, as thousands of supporters from distant districts are expected to arrive in buses and other vehicles. Traditionally, vehicles are parked on the Maidan grounds, but the soggy conditions have made the space unusable so far.
The Kolkata Police’s traffic department is now racing against time to identify alternative parking solutions. According to sources, locations such as APC Road, Burrabazar, Posta, Ashutosh Mukherjee Road, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road, and Jawaharlal Nehru Road are being considered for this purpose.
Officials warn that unless there is a break in rainfall and at least 72 hours of dry weather, it will be nearly impossible to make the Maidan vehicle-friendly. Compounding the situation is the fact that July 21 falls on a Monday—a busy weekday—adding pressure on the city’s traffic systems to accommodate both the rally and regular commuters.
To ease congestion, movement of goods vehicles in the city will be restricted starting from the night of July 20. This is expected to reduce traffic density in key areas on the day of the rally.
Meanwhile, the All India Lawyers’ Union has filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court, urging that public inconvenience during the rally be minimized. The court has stated clearly that it is the police’s responsibility to ensure smooth public movement during such mass gatherings.
While the rally is poised to be a high-voltage political event for the Trinamool Congress, it is shaping up to be an operational stress test for Kolkata Police and civic authorities. How effectively they can manage the rain, parking and traffic-related challenges will determine the overall success of the mega event.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
