Kolkata: Kolkata Traffic Police is attempting to move some bus stops 10m-15m from busy crossings to reduce congestion and ensure free traffic movement.The first four crossings chosen are Behala Chowrasta on Diamond Harbour Road, Kasba crossing on EM Bypass, College Street crossing on MG Road and the APC Roy Road intersection at Maniktala. The change was already apparent at Behala Chowrasta, where congestion has reduced and pedestrians can cross the road more easily, said an officer. The goal, said the officer, was to keep crossings free of stationary vehicles while ensuring passengers had easy access to bus stops.Police said they launched this initiative after a ground survey to study vehicular and pedestrian traffic revealed most jams, especially congestion caused at the same spots every day, were caused by buses stopping near intersections, illegal parking and encroachments on road space.With those four intersections, police are following the example of Chingrighata, where daily morning jams could be reduced after the bus stop near the intersection was moved away towards Captain Bheri.According to the plan, auto-rickshaw stands near such bus stops, including those at Ajoynagar and Kadapara, will also be shifted.Police are coordinating with KMC and bus operators for better implementation of the norm and are also following a road safety audit by IIT Kharagpur, which identified 18 dangerous stretches on EM Bypass.Future safety work might include pedestrian barriers, refuge islands, better road markings, and pedestrian underpasses, said an officer.
