Kolkata is set to address its ongoing traffic congestion and management issues with a series of new initiatives focused on improving vehicular flow and safety on the Maa and AJC Bose flyovers. In a recent multi-agency meeting, several proposals were tabled to tackle slow-moving traffic and breakdowns, highlighting a concerted effort to enhance urban mobility and efficiency.
Central to these plans is the installation of Variable Message Signage (VMS) systems. The Kolkata Police have initiated tenders for the deployment and maintenance of monopole fixed VMS at strategic locations. These digital boards will provide real-time updates, including estimated travel times based on current Google data, allowing motorists to make informed decisions about whether to use the flyovers or opt for alternative routes below. Besides traffic management, the VMS will also serve as a medium to educate the public on cyber fraud and social media-related misconducts. Additionally, the police have proposed the introduction of cut-outs along AJC Bose Road to facilitate more efficient deployment of tow trucks. Currently, wreckers are restricted to operating from one end of the road depending on the location of a breakdown. The new cut-outs will allow for more flexible towing operations from both ends, thus expediting the removal of broken-down vehicles and reducing traffic disruptions.
In a related development, officials from Lalbazar are revisiting discussions with the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) to establish additional bays on the Maa flyover. These bays will be created by curving out sections of the flyover’s boundary walls at identified spots, including near Boat Club, Topsia Cut, and Kohinoor Market.
Furthermore, the proposal to install crash barriers and anti-suicide railings on certain stretches of the Maa flyover has been revisited. This proposal, which aims to enhance safety, was recently discussed at a district safety committee meeting and will be reviewed again with relevant civic agencies. These measures represent a significant step towards improving traffic conditions and safety in Kolkata, demonstrating a proactive approach to urban transport management.
