KOLKATA: With barely four days to go before the shutdown of the 300-metre stretch between Ganesh Talkies and Girish Park on Vivekananda Road to facilitate the second phase of the demolition of Vivekananda (Posta) flyover, cops have firmed up the traffic diversion plans.
Worried that Rabindra Sarani might not be able to bear the extra pressure, cops have decided to stop the entry of buses and hand-pulled carts on this stretch. The traffic diversions are likely to begin from August 27.
The Jorabagan traffic guard said that all the possible traffic diversions have been finalized and they are waiting for the final approval from Lalbazar. Sources said extra personnel from the adjacent traffic guards have been kept ready to implement the plans even as the headquarters will monitor bus diversions either from Esplanade or from the Poddar Court areas.
Cops said the KMDA has sought a blockade of three months on this stretch. As per plan, cops will be diverting the vehicles coming from Posta and heading towards Girish Park from the Ganesh Talkies crossing. “All the vehicles will turn left towards Rabindra Sarani and then right towards Beadon Street, instead of going straight before reaching CR Avenue. Smaller vehicles can use Beadon Square as an alternate route,” said an officer.
The traffic diversion, as compared to the diversion of Strand Road in the first phase, will be equally challenging due to a sheer volume of traffic. “Since commercial activity in the area is lesser than that of Posta, we hope to achieve our aim without much trouble.
The challenge will be restricted to the first few days till motorists get accustomed to the diversions,” said a senior officer. The fact that the agency appointed by KMDA is unlikely to start the work before September 1 will give cops some time to make adjustments once they begin the dry run from August 27.
