Kolkata: The Kolkata Police has imposed a blanket ban on plying of goods vehicles on four flyovers in the city and at the same time has prepared an elaborate plan for smooth traffic movement in the southern fringes of Kolkata following the caving-in of the Majerhat bridge.
The police have also given two days' time for the trucks with 20 wheels to leave the state without facing any problem. This comes after the state government imposed a restriction on plying of trucks with 20 wheels and above as they are known to cause irreparable damage to roads and bridges.
Rajeev Kumar, Commissioner of Police, held a press conference at Nabanna along with ADG (Law and Order) Anuj Sharma. Kumar said that all the departments are working overnight to ensure normalcy in terms of the movement of traffic.
"It is expected that the situation will improve in the next couple of days," Kumar said adding that suggestions have been taken from all quarters and the matter related to normal traffic movement is being looked into with all priority.
He had also mentioned about the restriction on plying of all sorts of vehicles on four flyovers in the city — Belgachia bridge, Arabinda Setu, Bijon Setu and Tollygunge flyover.
Later, Vineet Goyal, Additional Commissioner of Police (I) of the Kolkata Police, elaborated the traffic management plan by holding another press meet at Lalbazar.
Besides stating the alternate routes for goods vehicles with the restriction of its movement on the four bridges, Goyal said: "Concerned agencies will be carrying out assessment of the four structures. They may suggest repairing of the same. In that case, goods vehicles will not be allowed on the bridges until the repairing is completed."
With Belgachia bridge remaining closed for goods vehicles, the latter will be diverted through M N Roy Road. Similarly, instead of Arabinda Setu, the goods vehicles will be diverted through Manicktala Bridge.
Instead of Bijon Setu, the goods vehicles will be diverted through Jibantala Setu via Prince Anwar Shah Connector. Again, the goods vehicles that usually take Tollygunge bridge have to pass through Durgapur bridge.
He further assured that all steps will be taken so that transportation of essential goods is not hampered. In that case, the driver of a truck carrying essential goods could seek help from the police by dialing the helpline numbers — 100 or 1073. Goyal further added that the movement of goods vehicles in the Port area will be allowed round-the-clock on weekends till the situation becomes normal.
Vinit Kumar, Chairman, Kolkata Port Trust, held meetings with all stakeholders who wanted extra time for keeping cargo in the Port free of cost as there is traffic congestion due to caving-in of the Majerhat bridge.
The free period for exports has been extended from 7 days to 10 days. There were around the movement of 900 vehicles from the Port after the incident which was around 1,700 earlier.
On the other hand, the state Public Works Department is planning to construct a road and set up a level crossing near Majerhat station to pass vehicles till the final decision regarding the Majerhat bridge is taken. The PWD officials will be speaking to the Railway authorities on Monday in this connection.
It may be mentioned that several very heavy trucks were found stranded in the districts carrying perishable items to the city as those were restricted from entering the city.