KOLKATA: Bidhannagar cops are gearing up for a traffic mess outside the airport around the end of next month when more than half the width of VIP Road between Jessore Road connector and VIP Road-Airport Road crossing will be dug up at least till April to facilitate Metro construction. From Tuesday evening, a 60m portion of the Jessore Road-bound flank has been blocked off and a concrete road has been built to the left of the carriageway for traffic from Kaikhali-end. The other set of vehicles are allowed to take a right towards Arhai No. Gate from the point of diversion.
However, cops said the existing set up was actually helping maintain traffic in a better way because of the clear demarcation. But they feared it will become a huge challenge when the Kaikhali-bound flank will be dug up and two-way traffic will have to move along one four-lane flank next month. “There may be traffic snarls. We will need to sit with the Metro authorities again to finalize traffic planning before we block off the other flank,” said an officer.
The current Metro work is part of the 7km Noapara-Airport project that requires tunnelling in the cut-and-cover method. It requires digging up to 13m across VIP Road outside. The total underground tunnelling part from Jessore Road till airport is 2km.
“We can’t close the entire road at once. This flank will remain closed for a month,” said Devendra Kumar, chief engineer, Metro Railway, adding, “We are working in close coordination with the traffic department to minimize commuter inconvenience. Various agencies have been contracted to build the stretch. The top-slab work will be over in the next month. Construction will be underway inside the tunnel after that, but it will not affect the traffic movement.”
Although Metro officials said the temporary passage will be closed as soon as the work on the particular flank is over, Bidhannagar cops said they will request the authorities to keep the new road. “The new concrete road has been a vital infrastructure addition to this part of the city which is narrow and congested and creates a logjam even if a small vehicle breaks down on the road. The additional space will help us manage traffic in a better way once the Metro work is over,” said an officer.
Metro officials said they want to complete this extension by December 2021. “Work is going on in full steam despite the pandemic restrictions. We are striving hard to meet this deadline,” Kumar said.