HIDCO to make plan to monitor traffic movement in New Town

The West Bengal Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBHIDCO) will prepare a comprehensive plan to properly monitor traffic movement and reduce the number of accidents in New Town.

A high level meeting to discuss the matter was held on Friday. It was presided over by Debashis Sen, chairman WBHIDCO. Senior officials of WBHIDCO, New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) and police were present in the meeting. It may be recalled that some days ago, a school bus overturned in New Town.

The WBHIDCO has suggested installation of additional traffic signals, CCTV cameras and restrictions on the movement of trucks and lorries from 6 am to 9 pm. But as construction activities are going on it would not be possible to impose a blanket ban on the movement of trucks and lorries. WBHIDCO proposed to install height bars in some areas to stop entry of trucks.

It was further decided that ILFS in consultation with WBHIDCO, NKDA, state transport department will prepare a detailed project report on the things that are required for safe and smooth flow of traffic movement in the area. Senior officials of the above mentioned agencies will visit the spots to make an on the spot survey. The report will be prepared within a month.

During discussion it was found that there are 15 odd accident prone locations in New Town. There are areas that are thickly populated and areas sparsely populated and motorists have a tendency to accelerate because of wide smooth roads resulting in road accidents. Special attention will be given to reduce the number of accidents in the accident-prone locations.

It may be mentioned that WBHIDCO has proposed to lay a separate cycle track where people can hire a bicycle, go to his destination and leave the cycle after paying requisite fees in New Town. The tender has been floated and selection of the firm that will be entrusted with the job will be done soon. A comprehensive traffic plan will also be included. It also proposes to introduce two wheeler taxis in New Town and unless a comprehensive traffic management plan is prepared, traffic in New Town will go haywire.

Sen said the problems had been discussed in every detail and attempts would be made to iron them out. Once the report was ready it would be discussed and steps would be taken to implement them.