KOLKATA: As the city gears up to welcome the second Metro connection after a long wait, traffic police and the transporters are trying out last-moment permutations and combinations to extract maximum benefit from this new travel option. From pick-and-drop auto facilities to new bus stops, a change even in the traditional means of transport is likely in the offing.
The idea, they claim, is to provide the commuter getting off the new East-West Metro line a reliable, congestion-free last-mile connectivity. “The Metro stations are located in some of busiest and safest zones of the city. Hence safety of commuters, too, is of prime importance,” said a police officer.
Initial estimates suggest that a large chunk of daily commuters, who used to get off at Girish Park Metro station on the north-south alignment, might now get off at MG Road station and travel to Sector V and Karunamoyee using the new Metro. Similarly, those getting off on Bypass for office or City Centre might opt for this new line. A few commuters travelling from extreme north and using Ultadanga as the transit point might also change their travel plans provided the new Metro is viable and helps in saving commute time.
Auto drivers and rickshaw drivers, though, have been faster in chalking out their plans from Friday. Asim Bala, who now plies between Karunamoyee and New Town, said a few other auto drivers from Mahisbathan like him will try to park at the parking lot of Sector V station. “We will move out if cops resist, but with little connectivity around, passengers will surely not complain,” he chuckled. Tarit Das, who plys between Phoolbagan and Karunamoyee, said their route already has a temporary stand at Kadapara crossing. “We will now augment autos on both sides. Commuters will have to walk a short distance to reach us,” he said.
The rickshaw unions, along with the taxi operators at Karunamoyee, have proposed services from the bylanes to the various government offices at Central Park and residential colonies from City centre. “We are waiting for police nod,” said Anil Das, a rickshawpuller.
The Metro will cater to two EM Bypass stations — Salt Lake Stadium and Bengal Chemical. Kolkata traffic police said they will not allow any rickshaw or auto on to service roads. “As of now, we will introduce the smaller station-specific changes after recording crowd movement over the weekend. But commuters will have to use the subway to cross over. They might also use the Metro Railway concourse. No jaywalking will be allowed. Special posting will be arranged at stations during the peak hours to ensure buses stop only at designated stops,” said an officer.
The Bidhannagar police expect a sizeable passenger count at Karunamoyee, City Centre and a good number at the Sector V station. “Except Sector V, there are commuting options available from the other stations, albeit with a little walk. The dispersal from Sector V remains a challenge — it being on the high-speed Salt Lake Bypass. Hence, we will be there to guide passengers to cross over. While autos and rickshaws might seek permission for using the bylanes to offer newer options, a final decision will only be taken once we realize the exact demands of commuters,” said a senior IPS officer, adding that since all stations have a parking lot, those using cars can use it as the last-mile connection option.
Both Kolkata and Bidhannagar police asserted that vendors will not be allowed near Metro stations. “If won’t be strict from the beginning, the approaches might get clogged by the time the entire alignment becomes operational,” explained an officer at Lalbazar.
The idea, they claim, is to provide the commuter getting off the new East-West Metro line a reliable, congestion-free last-mile connectivity. “The Metro stations are located in some of busiest and safest zones of the city. Hence safety of commuters, too, is of prime importance,” said a police officer.
TimesView
This launch has been a much-delayed affair. All government agencies need to learn from the problems that have caused this delay, learn from and cooperate with each other so that the other lines are operational as early as possible.
Initial estimates suggest that a large chunk of daily commuters, who used to get off at Girish Park Metro station on the north-south alignment, might now get off at MG Road station and travel to Sector V and Karunamoyee using the new Metro. Similarly, those getting off on Bypass for office or City Centre might opt for this new line. A few commuters travelling from extreme north and using Ultadanga as the transit point might also change their travel plans provided the new Metro is viable and helps in saving commute time.
Auto drivers and rickshaw drivers, though, have been faster in chalking out their plans from Friday. Asim Bala, who now plies between Karunamoyee and New Town, said a few other auto drivers from Mahisbathan like him will try to park at the parking lot of Sector V station. “We will move out if cops resist, but with little connectivity around, passengers will surely not complain,” he chuckled. Tarit Das, who plys between Phoolbagan and Karunamoyee, said their route already has a temporary stand at Kadapara crossing. “We will now augment autos on both sides. Commuters will have to walk a short distance to reach us,” he said.
The rickshaw unions, along with the taxi operators at Karunamoyee, have proposed services from the bylanes to the various government offices at Central Park and residential colonies from City centre. “We are waiting for police nod,” said Anil Das, a rickshawpuller.
The Metro will cater to two EM Bypass stations — Salt Lake Stadium and Bengal Chemical. Kolkata traffic police said they will not allow any rickshaw or auto on to service roads. “As of now, we will introduce the smaller station-specific changes after recording crowd movement over the weekend. But commuters will have to use the subway to cross over. They might also use the Metro Railway concourse. No jaywalking will be allowed. Special posting will be arranged at stations during the peak hours to ensure buses stop only at designated stops,” said an officer.
The Bidhannagar police expect a sizeable passenger count at Karunamoyee, City Centre and a good number at the Sector V station. “Except Sector V, there are commuting options available from the other stations, albeit with a little walk. The dispersal from Sector V remains a challenge — it being on the high-speed Salt Lake Bypass. Hence, we will be there to guide passengers to cross over. While autos and rickshaws might seek permission for using the bylanes to offer newer options, a final decision will only be taken once we realize the exact demands of commuters,” said a senior IPS officer, adding that since all stations have a parking lot, those using cars can use it as the last-mile connection option.
Both Kolkata and Bidhannagar police asserted that vendors will not be allowed near Metro stations. “If won’t be strict from the beginning, the approaches might get clogged by the time the entire alignment becomes operational,” explained an officer at Lalbazar.
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