Resolve traffic issues near Vivekananda flyover: Cops to KMDA

The road had been closed since a portion of the flyover collapsed at the crossing of Vivekananda Road and Rabindra Sarani on March 31, killing 21 and left several injured. The road is an important thoroughfare as earlier, hundreds of vehicles, used to pass through it to reach Khanna, Amherst Street and even Salt Lake after crossing river Hooghly and availing Howrah Bridge. But the road had to be closed since the incident had taken place, as studies to assess the strength of the remaining portion of the bridge is in progress and it would be opened only after the experts declare it safe enough to allow vehicles to pass under it.

Since the entry of vehicles has been restricted from the intersection of Kali Krishna Tagore Street and Maharshi Debendra Road, all vehicles are being diverted through Nimtala Ghat Street. It is also leading to an increase in traffic load on other adjacent thoroughfares. As a result, traffic congestion has become a daily routine.

Thus, the Kolkata Police’s Traffic department is trying to open Kali Krishna Tagore Road as early as possible. It is learnt that KMDA has urged the Kolkata Police to wait for a few days to get a clearance--to allow plying of vehicles under the flyover--as the matter is still under examination of the experts.

A few days after the incident, forensic experts had identified pier number 40--which is situated just at the intersection of Vivekananda Road and Rabindra Sarani--as the epicenter of the flyover collapse incident.

The experts had stated that faulty engineering in constructing pier number 40 was the cause of the collapse. Thus inspection of rest of the piers had become necessary. Still, policemen remain posted round the clock at both ends of the flyover and restrict vehicle movement on the road under the flyover. Security barricades are also placed to restrict the entry.