Kolkata: North-bound travel from Kolkata is set to become significantly faster as the upgraded 44.2-km Kalyani Expressway is likely to open on March 2, ahead of Holi.
"The upgraded Kalyani Expressway, with 21 signal-free flyovers and a 1.3-km elevated link to the airport-bound Belgharia Expressway, is likely to open on March 2. The corridor is set to drastically cut travel time between Kolkata and AIIMS Kalyani to about 45 minutes from nearly two-and-a-half hours," an official said.
Sources said it will also ease congestion in Barasat and provide faster airport access for commuters from Nadia, Howrah, Hooghly and Burdwan.
Administrative sources said chief minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to virtually inaugurate the full-length, signal-free corridor from the "Dol Yatra and Holi Milan Utsav" programme at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Monday. The project is being described in official circles as the CM's Dol gift to the people of Bengal.
"This Holi festival, people of Bengal will receive a big gift in the form of a full-length, signal-free Kalyani Expressway. The expressway — one of the state's largest projects in recent times, being executed at Rs 2,500 crore — is nearing completion, with the work scheduled to wrap up by Feb-end," a PWD official said.
According to officials, the expressway has 21 signal-free flyovers spanning nearly 24 km, along with seven major underpasses, six light-vehicle underpasses, six pedestrian underpasses, 70 culverts, five public toilets, a truck lay-by, and 56 passenger waiting shelters. According to PWD sources, a key highlight of the project is the 1.3-km elevated corridor at the Zero Point junction in North Dum Dum, ensuring seamless integration with Belgharia Expressway. "The elevated link eliminates congestion at the busy crossing and allows uninterrupted movement of traffic towards Dakshineswar and the airport," a PWD engineer said.
Officials said once operational, the corridor will drastically reduce travel time between Kolkata and AIIMS Kalyani to about 45 minutes from nearly two-and-a-half hours. Commuters travelling from the Belgharia Expressway–Kalyani Expressway junction to Bara Jagulia via Kanchrapara's Kampa More will be able to complete the journey in around 40 minutes without stopping at signals.
The expressway will also help motorists bypass congestion-prone areas like Barasat and offer quicker airport access from Nadia, Howrah, Hooghly and Burdwan. The project was executed by the state PWD and is being seen as one of the largest road infrastructure initiatives in recent years.