Kolkata has long struggled with chronic traffic congestion, particularly in the Central Business District (CBD) area, where key roads like Strand Road and Brabourne Road often become gridlocked due to high traffic volume. To address this growing issue, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Kolkata Port authorities have reached an agreement to construct a multi-level car parking plaza in the BBD Bag area. The new facility is expected to alleviate congestion and provide much-needed parking space in one of Kolkata’s busiest regions. This development is seen as a significant step in reducing traffic bottlenecks and improving the city’s overall traffic management.
The decision to build the parking plaza follows a productive meeting between KMC Mayor Firhad Hakim and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Chairman Rathendra Raman, where both parties agreed to develop the facility on a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Fairlie Place, located near Howrah station, has been identified as the ideal location for this parking plaza. Once completed, this facility is expected to ease traffic flow along critical roads in the CBD, making commuting more efficient for thousands of daily travelers. This initiative is part of a broader effort to tackle Kolkata’s pressing infrastructure challenges, including the preservation of its iconic landmarks and the improvement of its riverfront.
In addition to the multi-level parking plaza, the KMC and port authorities have also focused on other critical infrastructure concerns in the city. Mayor Hakim announced that the port authorities would undertake essential shore protection work along several major ghats on the Hooghly River, including Nimtala, Ahiritala, and Bagbazar, to combat severe soil erosion. This proactive step will help prevent further damage to the riverbanks. Furthermore, the port authorities are also assessing other ghats, such as Doi Ghat, Prinsep Ghat, and Babughat, for similar protection measures. Another significant discussion point was the renovation of the Howrah Bridge, a vital transportation link. The port authorities have hired an international consultancy firm to conduct a health audit of the bridge, which has recommended a full renovation to extend its lifespan. The KMC has pledged to support these efforts to preserve one of Kolkata’s most iconic structures, ensuring its continued contribution to the city’s infrastructure.
These collaborative efforts between KMC and Kolkata Port authorities aim to improve the quality of life for the city’s residents by addressing the root causes of traffic congestion, environmental concerns, and infrastructure decay. By focusing on modernizing key facilities like the parking plaza and Howrah Bridge, as well as tackling issues like riverbank erosion, the city’s leadership is working toward creating a more efficient, safer, and livable Kolkata. In addition to these practical solutions, the KMC also seeks to preserve Kolkata’s cultural heritage, as seen in its support for the renovation of Howrah Bridge. This multi-faceted approach to urban development aims to strike a balance between modernization and heritage conservation, ensuring that Kolkata continues to evolve while preserving its unique identity.
