The summer of 1944 saw Calcutta plunged into the heart of World War 2, with all the dislocation and disruption it meant. Petrol was rationed and hardly available. Private cars were requisitioned by the army of the foreign government. The city filled with American soldiers sent to fight off the Japanese invasion of India through Burma.

Jeep leading a convoy on B. T. Road

Bullock cart holding up US Army trucks

As the port nearest to the Japanese army advance, Calcutta docks filled up with many thousands of newly developed military jeeps, trucks and armaments. These had to be driven through the city to a railway station near the Barrackpore military camp, to be put on trains to Ledo, on the Burma border.
This army supply route would last for two years. Unfortunately, the docks were on the south corner of the city. Barrackpore was beyond the northern border. The huge number of vehicles had to traverse the city. 

Traffic Police contingent from USA that controlled Calcutta

MP Radio Jeep - convoy from Strand Road to Barrackpur

Birth of the traffic police
It became clear to the Americans that Calcutta had no traffic plan. They classified it as the most important city of the British empire, and as large as Chicago, USA. Sadly, Calcutta was hopelessly jammed by human drawn vehicles and people who always walked on the road, even in 1944!
This posed a major problem for war transport. Allied High Command issued a prompt order directing the US army to take up traffic management and control. Soldiers reported being stuck in jeeps behind pedestrians. Army trucks complained of being held up by bullock carts. This had to change.
The US military police sprang into action. While consulting the British army and Calcutta Police, they toured and surveyed the city extensively in their distinctive jeeps and came up with a plan.

WW2 Traffic Plan & Radio Station Map

Calcutta soldiers who managed traffic

A NEW FORCE
A traffic management force was formed, comprising specially coloured jeeps manned by uniquely dressed officers and staff. These were to be posted across the city at major crossings and on major roads and connected by radio.
The Fort William radio centre was the headquarters where the Provost-marshal sat. Two command stations were set up near Shyambazar (north) and Ballygunj (south) to provide backup. The balance jeeps were to patrol the route and lead convoys.
All the offices and jeeps were linked to the radio network. In case of any problem, the local policeman had to call up a number, which connected to the radio office. The HQ then transmitted the message to nearby jeeps so that they rushed to the spot and tackled whatever problem arose. All jeeps had a high power transmitter / radio.

A roadside guidance jeep

Jeep leading a convoy through North Calcutta

THE JOBS
One, convoys had to be formed in the docks and led out over the Khidirpur bridge, with a jeep in front leading them through crowds. Once on the move, the convoy was guided at crucial road crossing by jeeps parked at the side of avenues. If parking was a problem, a jeep would physically lead the convoy around major crossings and turns.
The final job was to receive the convoy once it left the city centre at the Baghbazar canal (today’s Galiff Street). The convoy was then guided the entire way to the military camp railway station. They used the rural Barrackpore Trunk Road, at that time lined with huge trees and covered by greenery.

A convoy after traffic reorganisation

THE LEGACY
American military police changed the face of traffic in Calcutta. By introducing radio connected route vehicles, and creating a distinct uniform and colour coded fleet, they brought in long overdue management skills to traffic control. The radio linked jeeps multiplied the reach and effectiveness of the traffic control plan. This meant the traffic team could ensure the smooth flow of heavy traffic, trucks, ammunition and soldiers across a congested city without accidents. They left behind a legacy of traffic control, radio connected vans and citywide radio stations that serve the city even today.