Kolkata: The West Bengal government has planned a pilot project to control the speeds of moving cars across the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass (EM Bypass) in Kolkata and six other busy roads across the state.
This is in response to a Supreme Court directive to reduce the number of fatal accidents on important roads in the state by 2030. Accordingly, the West Bengal state government is focusing on scientific innovations to control car speeds.
In the first phase of the pilot project, the Kolkata Police, Urban Development Department, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Education Department together surveyed to identify the accident-prone areas in the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. This was done across a 16 KM stretch from Ajay Nagar to Ultadanga in the EM Bypass.
Subsequently, IIT Kharagpur got involved in the project to reduce car speeds by measuring the road topography, local population density and the number of cars travelling in those areas.
The IIT Kharagpur team surveyed Hiland Park, Ajay Nagar, Mukundapur, Ruby Crossing, VIP Bazar, Science City, Chingrghata and other crossings. The car density, the pattern of road crossings, bus stops, traffic signals, metro stations and metro pillars in these areas were thoroughly surveyed.
Maximum emphasis is being given to pedestrian and motorcycle riders to reduce fatal accidents. Bus bays are being created to ensure smooth embarking and disembarking from buses, setting up adequate electronic sign boards, speed instructions and ample lighting.
With the New Garia Airport Metro Corridor leading to lane diversions in many places, special care is being taken so that drivers are not confused. The first phase of this work on the EM Bypass will be concluded by year-end.
The EM Bypass has seen 279 accidents between 2021 to 2023. There have been 35 deaths from 26 of these accidents. Kalikapur with 17, Ruby crossing with 14 and Hiland Park/Ajaynagar with more than 10. A total of 209 people have been injured.
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