Govt mulls level-crossing as alternative route post demolition of Talla Bridge

Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government, in consultation with the Railways, is planning to come up with a level-crossing as an alternative route to ease out traffic flow as the state government has decided to demolish the 57-year-old Talla Bridge.

The Transport department is also keen to use the Chitpore Lockgate flyover maintained by the Railways for diverting the north-bound buses to ease pressure on the road in front of RG Kar Medical College Hospital.

The plans were discussed in detail during the joint inspection conducted by officials of the state Public Works Department, Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority Transport department, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Railways.

Talla Bridge is now open for vehicles weighing less than 3 tonnes and the government has to create some more alternative routes to facilitate transport movement as the work for pulling down the bridge is expected to start from January next year.

The level-crossing, similar to the one created across railway tracks at Majerhat, will be used as a lorry corridor from 9 pm to 8 am. During the rest of the day, it will be used by heavy vehicles like buses, which are now banned on the bridge.

The level-crossing is being suggested to connect Braja Dayal Shah Road with Sethpukur Road and Pranakrishna Mukherjee Road, with traffic merging with BT Road closer to Shyambazar.

"We are also considering the possibility of using the Chitpur Lockgate flyover as an alternative route for north-bound buses to reduce traffic pressure. A final report will be prepared and submitted to the state in 15 days," said KMC Borough Committee I chairman Tarun Saha.

Measurements of the distance of the railway tracks from the piers were taken on Saturday. While the rail overbridge (ROB) will be dismantled by the Railways, PWD will take charge of the remaining portion which is nearly 975m long.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had chaired a meeting at Nabanna on Friday, where the decision of demolishing the bridge was finalised. Banerjee has directed that a detailed report on the ground situation and alternative routes would have to be submitted in 15 days, following which the demolition plan would be undertaken.

"Once Talla Bridge is razed down and all the alternative routes become operational, the load of traffic on Northern Avenue and Canal East Road will increase immensely. Efforts may be taken to remove the parking lots along East and West Canal Road (commonly called Khalpar) and allow two-way traffic on Khagen Chatterjee Street," Saha said.