Kolkata Police to carry out safety audit on Maa flyover

The Kolkata Police is planning to carry out road safety audit on frequent accidents that are taking place on the Maa flyover.

The reason behind commissioning the audit is to check accidents on the 9.2 km-long flyover, including the ramps that connect EM Bypass with AJC Bose Road.

The flyover was thrown open on October 9, 2015 and since then seven persons have been killed and 15 injured in various road accidents on the flyover. A college-goer Monalisa Debnath was killed and her friend left injured when their two-wheeler collided against a median on the flyover on December 25.

The safety audit will also help police ascertain the exact reason behind repeated accidents on the flyover. According to a police officer, there could be several reasons behind the accidents. On top of the list could be the hairpin bends and turns on the flyover.

Oftentimes people mistakenly take the wrong ramp and are forced to suddenly slow down the speed of their car. In such a situation, the car either hits against a median or a vehicle approaching from behind at a high speed rams into it.

There is also a pressing need to check whether the speed limits are properly adhered to by the drivers. The set speed limit on the flyover is 30 kmph. However, people hardly people follow the guidelines and many rash drivers meet with accidents.

The safety audit report will also help to chalk out a plan to persuade people to follow the guidelines. Moreover, the police will get an idea of what more could be done to curb accidents on the flyover, like setting up road signs.

It may be mentioned that two major issues, traffic congestion and pot holes on the road on the flyover, had come up a few months ago. The issues will also be kept under consideration while conducting the safety audit.