KMC urges KP to impose Rs 2,000 fine for not using footbridges

Kolkata: In a stride towards making the pedestrians use footbridges across the city, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is mulling the idea of urging Kolkata Police to impose a fat fine upon those who do not use these and cross the road.

It has been learnt that Kolkata Police now imposes a fine of Rs 100 for offenders who cross the road, turning a blind eye to the footbridges. They claim to be in a hurry and often get away without paying the fine by begging pardon for their act.

The civic body wants to take a tough stand and urge KP to impose fine to the extent of Rs 2,000 to curb this practice. KMC is planning to install CCTVs on the footbridges that they are going to set up in the city.

KMC officials have toured parts of the city and selected some spots for construction of these foot bridges.

These include Deshapriya Park, Ballygunge Siksha Sadan, Ballygunge Phari, South City, Exide Crossing, Turf View Road and Alipore Zoological Gardens.

"We are coming up with seven footbridges fitted with escalators in PPP mode. Work for the footbridge in front of Alipore Zoological Garden has already started," said Tarak Singh, Member, Mayor-in-Council (Drainage) who is overseeing the PPP mode, in which these footbridges will be erected.

It has been learnt that Singh has sought a report from the Director General of the department about the status of the other proposed footbridges in the city.

The spots were selected on the basis of their proximity to frequent road accidents. Citizens in the city have been demanding footbridges in the wake of a recent accident that snuffed out two lives at Chingrighata crossing.

The Urban Development department has announced that they will come up with two overbridges and an underpass in the area.