Kolkata: Cops ready Plan B to keep puja traffic moving in Chetla zone – Times of India

KOLKATA: The non-availability of under construction Chetla Lock Gate Bridge led to brainstorming among Kolkata traffic police officers on probable alternatives for use as a safety valve when pressure builds up on Durgapur Bridge that connects two Durga Puja crowd-pullers: Suruchi Sangha and Chetla Agrani.
In the past, police have diverted two-wheelers and pedestrians on to SP Mukherjee Road when the Durgapur Bridge got choked.
Kolkata Police DC (traffic) Sunil Yadav said, a letter had been sent to KMDA that is constructing the Chetla Lock Gate Bridge to try and complete the work before puja. The non-availability of the bridge had also figured at the coordination meeting on Sunday.
Apart from Chetla Agrani and Suruchi Sangha, there are other crowd-pullers in the area like Buroshibtala, 66 Pally and Badamtala Asar Sangha.
In case the bridge is not available, police are preparing alternative plans like suspending bus services on Durgapur Bridge during peak hours and diverting them via Burdwan Road or SP Mukherjee-Tollygunge Phari stretch. “This will help ease pressure on Durgapur Bridge, Chetla Central Road and Chetla Main Road. We will focus on keeping traffic moving on both Tollygunge Circular Road and Buroshibtala Main Road along with Durgapur Bridge. As usual, autos will be regulated early or asked to take an alternative route,” said an officer.
As of now, there are no plans to use the Bailey Bridge that was constructed when the Majerhat Bridge had collapsed. “We are anticipating a huge crowd and want to be ready for it. With more than 60% cars in a 10km radius heading from Rashbehari Avenue to New Alipore via Chetla or in reverse direction, proper planning and cooperation is required,” said a senior IPS officer.
According to police records from 2018-19, when the last full-scale Durga Puja was held, Rashbehari Avenue recorded an average footfall of 6 lakh people daily from Panchami. Crowd count at Chetla Agrani and Suruchi Sangha was 1.5 lakh and 2.7 lakh respectively. “Managing pedestrian movement is as important as keeping traffic moving. That is why senior officers will be at New Alipore and Chetla,” said an officer.