Kolkata police look at local traffic solutions in school zones

KOLKATA: Police will bank on 'local solutions' to try and keep the city decongested from next week to ensure that not only board examinees, but all students appearing for their final exams and those headed to their offices do not get delayed. The cops are likely to approach a few schools and request them to tweak their school test timings to keep a gap with board exams.
Most importantly, local cops have been asked to deploy all possible measures - from diverting vehicles for a certain period of time, fouling traffic (allowing vehicles on one flank to use the other by holding up traffic on the other flank) and putting extra force at cert-ain intersections.
The decision came after a few key roads in the city reported slow movement owing to assembling of examinees of various boards outside schools on Friday. The fact that several other students are writing their final exams is adding to the traffic pressure. "Unlike at other times, we just cannot force parents to leave early. They need to be around so that their wards do not feel stressed before their board exams," said a cop.
"It took close to 35 minutes to cross Park Circus from Gariahat bridge," said Upal Mukherjee, who had gone to drop off her daughter at school. "Due to the assembly of examinees in different schools, traffic movement is slow on following roads like Gariahat Flyover, Bijon Setu, Cornfield Road, Theatre Road, Pretoria Street, Hungerford Street and the R.B. Connector (west bound)#Kolkatatrafficupdate," the cops posted.
"We appeal to all to approach us in case of any difficulty during the exam, and assure you of our services," said a joint commissioner.