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Bengal

Ultadanga flyover flank gets nod for traffic movement

Kolkata: The flank connecting Eastern Metropolitan Bypass with the VIP Road of Ultadanga flyover will be opened from Thursday night, said state Urban Development minister Firhad Hakim.

Traffic movement along the flyover was suspended from Tuesday after cracks were detected.

Hakim said: "Experts visited the site on Thursday morning and they have given a clearance on the basis of which the decision to open one flank was taken. We are waiting for their clearance in writing and once we get it the stretch will be opened immediately," he said.

"Eight cracks were detected and they have to be repaired. If the specially designed crop materials are available, the affected parts will be repaired within a fortnight. But if the material is not available, then it will have to be manufactured and around two months will be required to repair the affected parts. In that case, a bailey bridge will be set up and the Urban Development department will take up the matter with the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation.

Bidhanagar police informed that airport-bound Ultadanga flyover is being opened from Thursday.

Experts from Mumbai visited the site and collected samples. Later, one of them said: "People should not get scared. Every precautions will be taken before the affected flank is opened to the traffic."

The portion where cracks have come up had collapsed on March 3, 2013. The incident took place within a few minutes after a loaded truck was passing by pier 13 and 14 of the flyover. The truck plunges into the Kestopur canal and within seconds, the iron girder between piers 13 and 14 fell down.

The flyover was constructed by Mackintosh Burn in 2011 under the supervision of KMDA while its design was created by Consulting Engineering Services.

The KMDA engineers had said preliminary investigation revealed that the iron pillars, which had been installed after the collapse of the flyover, had developed cracks failing to bear the load.

Traffic movement in and around Ultadanga flyover particularly during the morning and evening peak hours was slow but long queues of cars had been avoided due to proper management. There was huge deployment of policemen to manage the traffic. "Senior police officials said the traffic movement will further improve once the flank connecting EM bypass with VIP will be thrown open to public."

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