KMDA to construct foot-bridges, underpass in Chingrighata

Kolkata: The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) will construct two foot over-bridges and an underpass, to help pedestrians cross roads at Chingrighata, where a speeding bus had mowed down two college students on Saturday morning.

Senior police officials from the traffic wing of Kolkata Police and Bidhannagar Commissionerate, KMDA along with local MLA Sujit Bose, visited the spot on Monday and decided on setting up two foot-bridges and a subway at the spot. They also examined the places where the construction of overbridges and underpass may take place.

"The police will come up with a proposal in this regard and we will construct the foot overbridges and an underpass. It was an unfortunate incident and we have to take all steps to minimise chances of accidents. I will also speak to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to see to it that the things are in place at a fast pace," state Urban Development minister Firhad Hakim said. It may be mentioned that the Bidhannagar Commissionerate is also planning to carve out a separate passage for cyclists to avert any further accident.

Sources in the traffic wing of the Bidhannagar Commissionerate said that they are also mulling the idea of widening the pavement, which is too narrow. Discussion also took place on shifting of the demarcated place of the existing zebra crossing.

The place had turned into a battlefield when local people ransacked vehicles and also pelted stones on the police, following the death of two college students.

Four vehicles were torched by an angry mob after a speeding bus, on its way to Salt Lake from Howrah, had mowed down two college students at 11.15 am on Saturday. Even a fire tender that came to the spot to douse the flames was attacked by the mob.

Both the victims died at the spot. The deceased were identified as Biswajit Bhuiyan and Sanjoy Banu, both residents of the adjacent Santi Pally and students of Bangabasi College.

Police deployment on Biswa Bangla Sarani has also been enhanced considerably since Sunday, to prevent accidents.

Locals had claimed after Saturday's accident that it had happened due to lack of vigil by the traffic police near the site. "The Beliaghata traffic guard stands only a few feet away from the accident site. Policemen had promised to maintain proper vigil in the area to avoid accidents but this happens only during school hours," Ramen Das, a resident of Shantipalli slum, had said.