KMDA seeks Bypass block for subway near Science City
Times of India | 20 April 2025
12 Kolkata: The KMDA has sought permission from Kolkata Traffic Police to partially block a portion of the Science City-bound flank of EM Bypass a few metres from Science City. The block, expected to last three months, aims at converting an abandoned culvert near the Uttar Panchannagram crossing, close to Ambedkar Setu, into a pedestrian subway.
Govt officials said to build the pedestrian subway, constructions have to be carried out on the westbound flank of E M Bypass. "A portion of the road—from the service lane up to 4m-5m into the width of the Bypass—has to be dug up to build the subway. So, a partial block of the EM Bypass near the Uttar Panchannagram crossing is needed. Permission has been sought from the traffic police," said an official. The culvert, through which irrigation water earlier used to flow, has long dried up and a different channel has reportedly been dug up for the water.
Officers from the Tiljala Traffic Guard said while the request for the partial block had been forwarded to Lalbazar, multiple factors would be considered before the final go-ahead could be given. "The stretch, where the three-month traffic block has been sought, is an extremely busy portion. We are also worried that the block period may extend into monsoon," said an officer. "In addition, Metro has sought a traffic block at the Chingrighata crossing. Stopping traffic on EM Bypass at such short interval poses challenges. We are also waiting for the bridge near Tagore Park to become functional for vehicular flow to ease to some extent."
Police pointed out the pedestrian underpass had been a long-standing demand of residents of the Tiljala and Panchannagram areas. "As EM Bypass becomes very wide on this stretch, it becomes rather difficult to cross it at one go, especially for senior citizens and children. So, residents of the area have been asking for an underpass, which will help cut down on accidents. At the same time, we need to keep the traffic flow in mind while allowing the partial block," said a Lalbazar officer.
KMDA has been working on converting abandoned culverts on EM Bypass into pedestrian subways. Apart from this one near Uttar Panchannagram, work is also on at another culvert near SRFTI. "The culverts have been lying abandoned. So, using those places to build subways will help people cross the busy road," said an official.
A 45m-long bridge over the canal near an Arsalan outlet on Bypass, expected to be completed soon, will also go a long way in easing jams.