In a bid to alleviate chronic traffic congestion, Kolkata Traffic Police has announced plans to introduce two new lanes at the bustling Chingrighata crossing on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass (E M Bypass). This strategic move aims to streamline the flow of vehicles, particularly during peak hours when office commuters from Sector V and New Town face significant delays merging onto the bypass from the Ultadanga side.
The new lanes will be strategically located to optimize space utilization and traffic management. One lane will be added on the Science City-bound flank, beginning from the culvert at Shantinagar, while the other will be carved out on the western side of the Chingrighata flyover at Majherpara. This initiative capitalizes on the available space following the proposed realignment of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s pumping station area adjacent to Canal Side Road.
Discussions surrounding this enhancement were deliberated upon during a district road committees meeting at Lalbazar, where consensus was reached among stakeholders following a presentation by the Beliaghata Traffic Guard. The proposal garnered support for its potential to mitigate congestion challenges that currently plague the intersection.
Presently, traffic from Sector V merges with the Science City-bound vehicles at Chingrighata, creating bottlenecks during peak traffic hours. The introduction of new lanes is expected to facilitate smoother merging and reduce delays, particularly for vehicles entering the bypass from Sector V and New Town in the evenings.
Moreover, plans are underway for a pedestrian underpass, with surveys set to be conducted soon by RVNL and other agencies at Chingrighata. This underpass aims to enhance pedestrian safety and further alleviate congestion by segregating vehicular and pedestrian movements efficiently.
The strategic placement of these lanes aligns with efforts to optimize traffic flow and enhance commuter experience along one of Kolkata’s busiest thoroughfares. As Kolkata continues to expand, such infrastructure upgrades play a crucial role in maintaining efficient urban mobility and addressing growing traffic demands. The Kolkata Traffic Police and Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate are optimistic that these measures will significantly improve traffic management at Chingrighata, ensuring smoother transitions for both vehicles and pedestrians navigating this vital junction on the E M Bypass.