HIDCO makes plans for management of traffic in New Town

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched the ‘Safe drive, Save life’ programme to improve traffic management and thereby reduce the number of road accidents all over the state.

BUIDL, a joint-venture company between the state Urban Development department and infrastructure development firm IL&FS will prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the matters that require to be completed for smooth and safe movement of vehicles in the area.

Auto number plate recognition and red light violation cameras will be installed by New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) at three points, namely New Town bus terminus, Rabindra Tirtha junction and Chinar Park.

It has been noticed that some people, who drive their vehicles at high speeds, have a tendency to flout traffic norms, inviting high risk of road accidents. Also, CCTV cameras will be installed at six strategic points. These are City Centre II, Box Bridge entry, Jatragachi Phari, Nawabpur crossing, Axis mall crossing and Unitech frontage.

The NKDA will install three auto manual signals in the first phase at Jatragachi bridge, Jagardanga crossing and Akankhya More. WBHIDCO will construct four bus bays at City Centre II, Nawabpur crossing, Noapara crossing and Unitech frontage.

There will be restrictions on the movement of lorries from 6 am to 9 pm. However, as hectic construction activities are going on in New Town, WBHIDCO and NKDA officials will sit together to find out ways and means for implementation of this plan.

Areas will be demarcated for parking of lorries and buses at night. Night parking poses a major problem in Kolkata and neither the Kolkata Municipal Corporation nor city police are able to curb unauthorised parking at night. This problem will be ironed out if zones are earmarked for the purpose of parking. Height barriers will be put up at some entry points to prevent unauthorised entry of lorries. Rubberised rubble strips at few points will be put up on service roads.

As the roads are wide and smooth in New Town, cars on their way to the airport take this route and accelerate their vehicles. The steps will restrict the speed of vehicles and will make traffic movement in the area smoother and safer.