750 of 30,000 vehicles plying daily on EM Bypass break speed rule
Times of India | 21 November 2023
Kolkata: Around 750 vehicles, out of an estimated 30,000 that ply on EM Bypass every violate the speed bar. And yet, these 2.5% vehicles seem to be the “potential threats” to disciplining vehicular traffic on the 29-km-long bypass.
This has been found in a survey by Kolkata Traffic Police at three spots on the Bypass — one close to Ruby crossing, another near Pragati Maidan and the third near Mani Square.
Yet, these vehicles—driven above 40-50 km/hr—are leading to accidents, two of them leading to fatal accidents in a span of just two months.
A total of 20 million vehicles crossed these three points in November. “We chose certain days and certain hours for the study, using the usual speed cameras. The violations ranged from 0.5% to 2.7% of all vehicles, based on the time of the day. Of the three spots, violations around Pragati Maidan-Science City were slightly higher than the other points.
Police have now proposed setting up at least three more speed cameras and immediate penalty for violators.
Bypass, it has been decided, will also remain one of those zones that will witness heavy cop presence at night. “Nakas will be there at Parama Island, Highland Park, Mukundapur Market and Chowbaga on each night. We have now added the Urbana approach road, 206 bus stand, Ajoynagar approach, the Dhalai bridge and another on the Kasba connector to that list. The special night car is posted there and night checks are taking place at these nakas,” said an officer at Lalbazar.
“The prime focus for us will remain the safety of pedestrians and two-wheeler riders, who are most prone to accidents on speedier and wider stretches like Bypass. Post pandemic, there has been an explosion of two-wheelers on the roads, making it a challenge to policing. There were reports that several of the new users are not conversant with the laws and were of the belief that cops will not act against them in the festive season. It was also reported from certain pockets - like Beliaghata-Narkeldanga and the Anandapur-Patuli pockets - that rogue bikers were racing on the deserted bylanes where we have no presence. Hence sudden raids are being carried out to surprise the rule breakers. These raids shall continue this season leading up to Christmas,” said an officer.