Police have requested Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation, the implementing agency of East-West Metro, to complete tunnel-boring work in Sealdah by Monday afternoon so that the part of the Sealdah flyover closed for the project can be opened at night.

According to the schedule announced before the closure on Friday night, the flyover will be opened on Tuesday morning.

The closure of the part of the Sealdah flyover between its crossings with MG Road and Beleghata Road has prompted police to put in place large-scale diversion plans.

“We will request KMRC officials to try and wrap up work by Monday afternoon so that we can reopen the Sealdah flyover by Monday night,” said a senior police officer.

Three other flyovers — Park Street flyover, VIP Road flyover and one flank of the flyover that connects VIP Road with EM Bypass — remain closed at night to avoid accidents.

A Calcuttan who was out on a late-night drive on Saturday said he found the Chetla bridge and the one connecting the zoo with the racecourse and Park Street closed.

“Monday, being the first full-fledged working day following the closure of a part of the Sealdah flyover, will pose the real challenge in managing traffic. Saturday and Sunday were comparatively easy because of lesser traffic load,” said an officer of the Calcutta police.

“We will try a few changes on Monday, including making Nirmal Chunder Street one way towards SN Banerjee Road from Bowbazar. This road is now open for both-way movement.”

Since 11pm on Friday, vehicles from Shyambazar and headed towards Sealdah are being diverted from the Rajabazar intersection to Narkeldanga Main Road. These vehicles are reaching the Phoolbagan crossing through Narkeldanga Main Road and then moving down RL Mitra Road and Beleghata Main Road to reach Sealdah.

In other parts of Calcutta as well, commuters are forced to take alternative routes after 10pm because of closure of flyovers.

Both flanks of the VIP Road flyover, which runs over Kestopur and Baguiati, remain closed to traffic at night. Guardrails stand at the entry on either side of the flyover forcing motorists to take the road underneath, dotted with traffic signals.

The Bypass-bound flank of the Ultadanga flyover, which takes off from VIP Road, remains closed to traffic from 11pm to 6am.

The Park Street flyover remains off to traffic between 10pm and 6am, forcing vehicles to move down the comparatively narrow stretch of JL Nehru Road on either side of the flyover.

Police said the closures were aimed at reducing accidents, including fatal ones, caused by drink and reckless driving at night. The move helps the police brass to deploy more personnel elsewhere at a time when heavy vehicles ply across the city.

No e-pass

Metro commuters will not need an e-pass to enter a station from Monday. The number of trains from Monday to Saturday will go up to 240 from 228 and the number of entry/ exit gates will be increased.