The Statesman 26.04.2013
Foot overbridges to come up on Gariahat Road, Syed Amir Ali Avenue
KOLKATA, 26 APRIL: Two foot overbridges will come up on Gariahat Road and Syed Amir Ali Avenue for smooth movement of traffic.
The foot overbridges will be constructed by Selvel and Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC). The Kolkata Municipal Corporation cleared the proposal yesterday.
Several other foot overbridges will be constructed in the city. RITES has been entrusted to conduct a survey and study its feasibility. Earlier, Kolkata Police had submitted a report to the KMC requesting it to allow construction of foot overbridges at eight important intersections.
Senior civic officials said the overbridge on Gariahat Road would be constructed at Ballygunge Circular Road intersection. They will be fitted with escalators.
For three decades Selvel had the right to put up advertisements at the foot overbridge near bridge number 4. The agency agreed to build the overbridge on Gariahat Road and it will have the right to advertise on the new overbridge and will pay KMC its charges.
The other foot overbridge will come up on Syed Amir Ali Avenue opposite the shopping mall constructed by CESC. It will also be fitted with an escalator.
Senior police officers said of the nine foot overbridges in the city, three of them ~ at Gariahat, bridge number 4 and opposite NRS Medical College and hospital ~ are used by pedestrians. Elderly people cannot climb the stairs. Also, the foot overbridges have become a den for criminals after sunset.
People drive at high speed along Ballygunge Circular Road-Gariahat Road intersection. Chances of road accidents along the stretch has gone up. The foot overbridges will ensure smooth traffic flow and also safety for pedestrians.
