Kolkata: Eastern Railway on Friday started trials for dedicated laning of vehicles below the canopy in front of Sealdah station.
The first lane is reserved for autos, the second for pre-paid taxis, the third for private cars and app-based cabs, and the fourth for vehicles availing space in the parking zone.
The fourth lane is also reserved for VIPs to disembark.
Ambulances may not have to follow specific lanes and can directly pull in at the closest access point of the station through any of the lanes. App-based cabs may drive through the third lane to the pick-up zone.
DRM Sealdah Rajeev Saxena said, "A detailed traffic circulation plan has been chalked out which will be implemented before puja. The traffic regulation plan revolves around the canopy at the station circulating area, which will have no-stopping zones."
The circulating area will be divided into different lanes. The innermost will be for autos and three-wheelers, the next one for yellow and pre-paid taxis to drop or pick up passengers. A pre-paid taxi counter is also being set up.
"The second outermost lane will be for private vehicles, app cabs and e-bikes. These vehicles may be allowed to stop (waiting time will be decided on the basis of traffic density) or leave immediately," Saxena said, adding, "The outermost lane will be for vehicles going to parking or app-based vehicles coming from outside the station area for pick-up. This lane will also cater to VVIP vehicles."
Two separate drop-off points are being created for suburban commuters and mail/express train travellers to enter designated platforms without criss-crossing. On Friday, the laning was temporarily done with delineators.