Kolkata VIP Road Repairs Cause Severe Traffic Jams Near Airport
A city’s key arterial road, vital for linking the airport to its urban core, has become a source of significant commuter pain following emergency repair work. The VIP Road, a six-lane thoroughfare, experienced severe traffic snarls that brought movement to a near standstill for much of the day, particularly near the airport. This crisis underscores a perennial urban challenge where essential maintenance, while aimed at improving conditions, creates immediate chaos.
The situation highlights the delicate balance authorities must strike to ensure infrastructure resilience in a city vulnerable to monsoon-induced damage, while simultaneously safeguarding the efficiency of its transport network for all citizens, including the thousands of daily commuters and international travellers. The urgency of the repair work was necessitated by continuous monsoon rain, which had severely eroded sections of the VIP Road, leaving them pockmarked with craters and damaged surfaces. The road’s compromised state not only posed a threat to vehicular safety but also exacerbated existing traffic woes. Police were compelled to divert traffic on crucial stretches, including the airport-bound flank, to manage the massive pile-up. While a necessary intervention, this ad-hoc traffic management resulted in a nearly four-fold increase in travel time on some segments, frustrating commuters and disrupting airport travel schedules.
The impact of the traffic congestion was far-reaching, with queues of vehicles stretching for kilometres. The snarls extended onto other major connecting arteries like the Belghoria Expressway and Jessore Road, demonstrating the domino effect of a chocked primary route. The chaos was severe enough that authorities were forced to temporarily suspend repair work for two hours on a Saturday afternoon to allow traffic to disperse. This tactical decision, while providing temporary relief, underscores the lack of a robust, long-term traffic management strategy for such critical infrastructure projects.
The current situation on the VIP Road also brings into sharp focus the broader challenges facing urban infrastructure in the face of climate variability. The repeated damage to roads from monsoon rains points to a need for more durable and sustainable construction materials and techniques. The use of paver blocks to replace the worn-out top layer is a positive step, but a more comprehensive, city-wide strategy is needed to build climate-resilient roads that can withstand the rigours of changing weather patterns. Such initiatives are vital for creating a zero net carbon and eco-friendly city that is also equitable and accessible to all.
While the repair work is expected to be completed swiftly with a large deployment of manpower and machinery, the recurring nature of these problems calls for greater scrutiny. Timely and proactive maintenance, coupled with robust, integrated traffic planning, is essential to mitigate the human and economic costs of such disruptions. A city that aspires to be a hub for business and tourism must ensure its core infrastructure is not just functional but resilient, guaranteeing a predictable and hassle-free commute for everyone.
