Flower pots removed from Maa flyover

KOLKATA: The state Urban Development department has removed all the flowerpots that were placed on Maa flyover with the dual objective of checking pollution and beautification.

The decision came in the wake of experts apprehending that heavy weight of the flower pots would weaken the structure of the flyover. Around 300 such pots were placed on the flyover. "The colourful flower pots have become very heavy. So, we have decided to

remove them and change the design of the flower pots," state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister Firhad Hakim said.

It is learnt that experts have stated that Maa flyover was constructed for ferrying goods transport and personal vehicles. The elevated corridor's prime objective was to ease traffic snarls particularly on the Seven Point Crossing at Park Circus. "However, it has been found that the flower pots that were placed on the flyover weighed around 1 tonne, resulting in the increased weight of the flyover which is detrimental to its structure," a KMDA engineer said on conditions of anonymity.

It may be mentioned that as soon as the safety aspect of the flyover came under scanner with experts being skeptical regarding the heavy weight, the minister directed for immediate removal and it was on Monday night that all the flower pots were removed from the flyover. The flower pots were placed both on the median and side of the flyover.