The Calcutta police have proposed construction of a foot overbridge across the EM Bypass connecting the area just near the approach to the Chingrighata flyover on the west and the Tapuriaghata locality on the east to facilitate pedestrian movement.
Vehicles headed for the Chingrighata flyover often have to pause at a signal at the approach to the flyover to allow movement of pedestrians from one end of the Bypass to another, mostly from the east to the west. During peak hours, the queue often becomes painfully long because of this signal, which police want to do away with.
“This traffic signal at the approach to the Chingrighata flyover was set up almost two years back following a fatal accident that invited strong public outrage. But it serves no purpose other than allowing pedestrians to cross over the Bypass,” said a senior police officer.
“A foot overbridge will not only do away with the signal and allow uninterrupted flow of vehicles taking the flyover but also secure the pedestrians crossing over the Bypass.”
The locality east of the Bypass near the Chingrighata crossing is divided into two areas, Sukanta Nagar and Tapuriaghata, the former extending towards Nicco Park from the Bypass crossing. Police said a majority of residents from these two areas have to cross the Bypass daily to the opposite end in the west to fetch drinking water from the pipelines of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation (CMC).
While some opt for cycles, others cross the Bypass on foot carrying containers to fetch water.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a 27-metre-long foot overbridge near the Jal Bayu Vihar complex last February to facilitate pedestrian movement in this area. The proposed foot ovebridge will be a second one in the vicinity.
“This foot overbridge, unlike others across the city, is widely used. But those who use cycles to crossover to fetch drinking water keep away because of the ramps,” said a senior officer.
“A considerable number of people from Tapuriaghata, however, prefer to walk across the Bypass near the flyover’s approach to reach the Canal South Road on the opposite side for their regular engagements, including fetching drinking water.”
Vehicles headed towards the Chingrighata flyover along the Bypass in the morning peak hours have to stop at a signal immediately after the Metropolitan intersection when vehicles cross over from west to east before turning towards Science City.
The construction work of two pillars for the New Garia-Metro link has forced police to tweak traffic signals and hence this new stoppage, officers said. The next signal at the approach of the flyover is less than 100 metres away and all vehicles have to stop
again.
“We would want the urban development department and the Metro rail to fund this foot overbridge jointly. This project has been recently discussed with the officials of the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), who are executing the Metro project,” the officer said.