Kolkata: The Kolkata Traffic police have proposed construction of a permanent median divider on the stretch between the AJC Bose flyover and the busy 7-point crossing on an immediate basis. Cops said that, at present, this is required after locals are forcing open the guard rails placed at this spot and trying to cross the road indiscriminately, causing major safety concerns in the heart of the city.
“With high speed vehicles coming off the AJC Bose flyover, this can lead to major accidents. Most drivers coming off the flyover will not even think that locals will try to cross illegally. In addition, with people crossing over, the vehicles coming off the flyover also tend to break the stop line in a bid to avoid standing near the gaps created by locals and blocking their path.
“There have been instances when locals have actually misbehaved with motorists over what they claim is their right of way right near the stop line. The phenomenon has seen a dangerous rise in recent times. A quick survey of the area with engineers of HRBC (custodian of the AJC Bose flyover) is on the cards,” said a senior officer from East guard.
Sources said that several two-wheelers have skidded here in the past month and though Lalbazar has refused to go on record, a couple of these instances have been attributed to sudden and illegal pedestrian crossovers in this stretch.
Cops have also written to KMDA, KMC and HRBC to find ways to manage traffic coming off the AJC Bose flyover at the SSKM Hospital end. Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has already said that it will engage a consultant for conducting a topographic survey from Rabindra Sadan crossing to PTS junction for implementation of a rapid transit system.