Kolkata: Early closure for Bypass service road

KOLKATA: Another accident near Captain Bheri on EM Bypass has led cops to implement certain immediate short-term measures even as they are hoping that the KMDA would offer them a permanent solution through better road engineering. Three accidents have taken place at same spot this year.
The Beliaghata traffic guard that had already begun blocking the service road adjoining EM Bypass near the Bypass Dhaba from 11.30pm is likely to begin the exercise soon.In addition, it is mulling increasing the traffic signal cycle at the traffic post installed near the Chingraghata flyover in order to reduce speed.

"We are witnessing major accidents on this stretch every three to four hours. All of these are late night accidents when there is no deployment of traffic cops. Hence, all we can do is try to create manual blocks to cut down on accidents," said a police source.
The service road along Maa flyover that leads to EM Bypass
Cops suspect the early morning accident on Thursday has much to do with the driver falling asleep at the wheels. "The skid marks show the car skidded off the kerb channel. This is a sign that the driver might have dozed off," said an officer. "It is likely that the driver dozed off with the window rolled down and the occupants in the rear seat, especially those not wearing seat belts, were the worst affected," said an officer.
If Eastern Metropolitan Bypass tops the accident-prone zone list, what makes it even more unsafe for commuters are the multiple construction activities there. Police say the sharp turn from the Silver Spring Club towards right on both the north and south flanks can be deceitful after the Maa flyover has become operational. "The stretch has narrowed down leading to bike accidents on earlier occasions. Lalbazar is likely to come up with certain short term strategies to counter the menace, said officials.
For now, thus, vehicles coming off the Maa flyover will be halted for a maximum of one minute in order to allow those vehicles using the Bypass to move ahead. The vehicles on the service lane will also have to halt for the same amount of time in order to allow vehicles from Science city to move ahead towards Chigrighata. Once this 60 seconds elapse, the vehicles from Science City will be halted for a maximum of 30 seconds to allow vehicles from Maa flyover and service roads to pass.
"The plan is to allow one lane of vehicles to continue forward even as we keep another lane on hold. This is the only option available to control the volume of traffic on this stretch," explained an officer.