Kolkata’s primary airport corridor is undergoing a safety overhaul as iron grilles are being installed along key stretches of VIP Road between Golaghata and Lake Town. The intervention, led by the state Public Works Department in coordination with traffic authorities, aims to curb unsafe pedestrian crossings and reduce accident risk on one of the city’s busiest high-speed arterials. Officials say the move is part of a broader VIP Road traffic management strategy.
VIP Road, linking Ultadanga to the airport, functions as a critical mobility spine for north-eastern Kolkata and adjoining townships. However, rapid urbanisation along the corridor has intensified pedestrian and vehicular conflict. Informal crossings between service lanes and the main carriageway have emerged at several points, particularly near commercial clusters and bus stops. Traffic police had earlier flagged these locations as accident-prone zones requiring structural intervention. Senior officials confirmed that the new fencing is being positioned between the service road and the airport-bound flank to discourage jaywalking. Designated gaps have been retained near bus halts to maintain commuter access. At the Lake Town junction, additional guard rails have been introduced to streamline pedestrian movement towards the subway and prevent random road crossings.
Urban mobility experts note that high-speed corridors cutting through dense neighbourhoods demand careful design balancing efficiency and inclusivity. While barriers may reduce immediate collision risk, long-term planning must integrate safe, well-marked pedestrian pathways, accessible subways, and improved last-mile connectivity. “Road safety measures are effective only when accompanied by safe alternatives for pedestrians,” observed an urban transport planner familiar with the project. The stretch between Bangur and Dum Dum Park had previously seen fencing after the creation of a biodiversity park, setting a precedent for controlled access. The current expansion extends that logic to other vulnerable segments. Authorities are also examining plans to install aesthetically designed median fencing along the entire corridor, reinforcing lane discipline and reducing abrupt pedestrian movement across traffic.
From an economic perspective, smoother airport access enhances business travel reliability and logistics efficiency. VIP Road supports not only passenger vehicles but also commercial movement linked to hospitality, retail and real estate growth around the airport zone. Frequent disruptions and accidents have had cascading effects on commute times and fuel consumption, contributing to higher emissions and productivity losses. As Kolkata continues to densify, infrastructure retrofits such as these highlight the challenge of upgrading legacy arterial roads into safer, climate-conscious urban corridors. The success of the VIP Road traffic management initiative will depend on sustained enforcement, pedestrian infrastructure upgrades and public awareness. For a city aspiring towards safer, more resilient mobility systems, this corridor could become a test case in reconciling speed with safety.
