The state government is seriously considering a proposal to set up a flyover connecting Eastern Metropolitan Bypass with Biswa Bangla Sarani to facilitate airport-bound traffic to reach in minimum time.
A high-level meeting to discuss the matter was held in the city on Thursday. It was presided over by Mayor Sovan Chatterjee who is also the state Environment minister. Senior officials of the Environment department including its Principal Secretary Arnab Roy and senior officials of the Urban Development department were present at the meeting. The state Urban development department had conceptualised the proposal over a year ago and discussions were on to find out ways and means to construct the flyover without disturbing the waterbody. Series of meetings were held among senior state government officials and environmental experts to discuss the issue. All the participating agencies have arrived at a conclusion that the flyover can be constructed without affecting the water body.
Refuting the apprehension of a few NGOs working to preserve water bodies, the Mayor said only 10/12 pillars would be required to be constructed on East Kolkata wetland comprising 125 square kilometre. Chatterjee further added that the state government was committed to preserve the waterbodies and no construction would come up disturbing it. The matter will be placed before Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her approval and on getting her clearance, soil testing and other related issues will be taken up.
The length of the proposed flyover will be 6.6 km. It will start within a few yards from the northern ramp of Maa flyover near Captain Bheri. An elevated road will be constructed without filling up the waterbody. It will go straight to New Town and then turn left and after covering 2 km it will come to Kolkata gate on Biswa Bangla Sarani. Only 10/12 pillars will be constructed to support the elevated road. The construction of 2 km road at New Town end is almost ready. On reaching Kolkata gate, vehicles will go straight and after crossing the Haldiram flyover will reach Kazi Nazrul Islam Sarani and finally reach the airport.
If the flyover is constructed, then vehicles from Vidyasagar Setu will be able to reach the airport anytime between 30 minutes to 45 minutes maintaining the stipulated speed which is around 40 km per hour on an average. It will be a seamless journey.
It may be mentioned that after coming to power in 2011, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gave special emphasis on construction of roads in the state. Following her initiative, Parama Island flyover which she later renamed as Maa flyover was completed. Eastern Metropolitan Bypass has been widened and the average speed of vehicles in the city has gone up.