The officials of Kolkata Traffic Police declared a detailed traffic circulation plan of diversions and alternative routes to be followed by the goods vehicles after such vehicles were banned from four bridges in the city.
An instruction prohibiting goods carrying vehicles (GCVs) on Arabinda Setu, Bijan Setu, Belgachia Setu and Tollygunge Setu was issued by the transport department earlier this afternoon.
“Until the agencies handling maintenance confirm to us that these four bridges are fit for movement of GCVs, these vehicles will not be allowed to ply there,” said Mr Vineet Goyal, additional police commissioner (I) during a press conference held at Lal Bazar.
He also announced the alternate routes that could be taken in place of these four bridges. “Arabinda Setu-bound vehicles could take Manicktala Bridge while others heading towards Belgachhia Setu could use M N Roy Road. GCVs going towards Bijan Setu could take Prince Anwar Shah connector instead and those intended to go towards Tollygunge Bridge could take the Durgapur Bridge route or Rashbehari Avenue,” he said.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised from different sections regarding the possibility of shortage of essential commodities due to blanket ban on GCVs in some parts of the city.
Traffic officials, however, assured that vehicles carrying essential commodities would be given passage through the city.
Social media will also be used for creating awareness and providing immediate help to the GCVs facing problems.
Mr Goyal said: “We assure that there would be no shortage of essential commodities due to this. Still if there is any problem anywhere with such vehicles, the concerned persons can contact the traffic police at 1073 or reach the control room at 100,” informed Mr Goyal.
Simultaneously, the officials of the traffic department are expecting traffic in the city to become normal, particularly around the accident site at Majherhat Bridge, by Monday