KMDA asks Kolkata cops to close Bijon Setu

KOLKATA: Even as the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority has written to Kolkata traffic police requesting them to shut down traffic on Bijon Setu from September 13 to 16, Lalbazar has sought some “more time to respond” after a section of its men — attached to three different traffic guards — raised objections to the blockade.

Citing Mahalaya was barely two weeks away, at least three traffic guards, who will handle the diversions said it will be a major challenge to handle shoppers and allocate such a huge manpower given the requirements in other parts of the city. “We are trying to take an informed decision. Neither has permission been granted nor denied yet. We will convey our decision well in advance,” said an IPS officer who is processing the request.
Cops said this is the first time they have sought time from KMDA in their ongoing project to access the health of several flyovers. “Whether it was the Sealdah flyover, Aurobindo Setu, Chingrighata flyover or Jibanananda Setu, we have always set up dates as proposed by KMDA. But this time, there are several ground realities that we need to factor in,” explained an officer.
Sources said the Gariahat Market was not the only concern. “As alternate routes, we have to reroute vehicles through Park Circus connector or the Prince Anwar Shah connector. There would be pressure at the 7-point crossing and Tollygunge Phari, both of which are handling load beyond capacity. We need a lot of advanced planning like Sealdah flyover to see this through. Blocking the traffic will be easier once we are through with the Durga Puja,” said an officer from the planning section of traffic police.
“With the pujas approaching, there will be a rush at both Gariahat market. Thus, the bridge cannot be spared beyond the non-peak hours. We will be requesting the KMDA to take the blocks after the festive season. However, given that security of the flyover is the first priority, we are also drawing up alternate plans,” said a south-east traffic guard official.
KMDA stated it had identified Bijon Setu as a priority bridge long ago. “Whatever we are doing, is for the safety of the structure and in consultation with cops,” said a senior KMDA official. A construction — supposedly of a new floor of an existing canteen — under the Bijon Setu at Ballygunge government bus depot had earlier raised concerns of the supporting wall of the bridge suffering serious damages.