Kol airport launches real-time traffic and fog alerts for flyers
Times of India | 17 December 2025
Kolkata: Kolkata airport launched a traffic advisory service on its X handle to alert flyers whenever congestion or waterlogging impeded travel to the airport. Around 25,000–30,000 flyers travelled to the airport daily, and another 5,000 went there to receive friends and relatives arriving in Kolkata. The service provided estimated time of arrival (ETA) by comparing normal commute times with actual durations.
The airport's IT team monitored travel times from five locations—Ultadanga, Chingrighata crossing, Salt Lake Sector V, Barasat and Howrah—and posted both the usual journey time and the time under current traffic conditions. "Whenever the Google Map indicates an abnormality in the commute time, we will put out an alert on the NSCBI Airport X handle. This means that when there is an indication that it may take 10–20% more time than usual, we will make the flyers aware so that they can choose an alternative route or start for the airport earlier than usual," an airport official said.
The alert check occurred every five minutes on weekdays and at longer intervals on weekends, when traffic volume was lower. "We realise the challenges passengers face while commuting to the airport. This becomes acute during the monsoon season due to waterlogging when there is heavy rain. This is an attempt to provide travellers with the information they need to make informed decisions and ensure a smooth journey to the airport," the official explained.
The service also took account of congestion caused by major political events or during Durga Puja, when traffic on VIP Road was affected by the crowd-puller pandal at Sreebhumi. The real-time alert supplemented airlines' advisories to plan for extra travel time during peak hours and adverse weather conditions, and the airport advised flyers to check their flight status online or through their airline's app for any potential delays.
In addition, Kolkata airport commenced a fog alert to passengers not only when visibility was poor in Kolkata but also when fog in north India delayed departures of flights to Delhi, Amritsar and other cities in the belt. Passengers were again advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport.