What are the problem points of the Park Street flyover?

The Park Street flyover in itself is a short but smooth ride. At least it was on Monday. But at the end of the flyover, and some way beyond, traffic was a mess. Travelling north to south, cars started piling up at the Jeevan Deep crossing. Qualitatively, there has been no improvement along this stretch from the days before.

Going south to north, things were a shade better on Monday. Except, of course, the long wait at the SN Banerjee Road crossing. So, the time you gained on the flyover, you lost on the ground, either approaching or at Esplanade.

Why is traffic coming to a halt at various vital points?

In the evening peak hour, when the rush is more south-bound, the southern end of the flyover is clogged. This is mainly because there is no divider here, allowing vehicles a free-for-all. As a result, cars coming off the flyover have to jostle for roadspace with competition from Park Street, Outram Road and Mayo Road traffic, creating a logjam.

Is there any marked improvement below the flyover, at main intersections, during peak hours?

Courtesy the trade bandh, traffic was less along this busy stretch. But even then, the space jam at all these intersections bodes ill for the week ahead.

What lies in store for Chowringhee on Tuesday, when traffic will be in full flow?

Some traffic snarls despite the Park Street flyover; some because of the Park Street flyover. At both ends, with more traffic hitting the terminal intersections faster, brace for long car queues.

From indications on Monday, there is little respite in store below the flyover, too.

And in the worst-case scenario, don?t be shocked if you're stranded mid-air for a while, on the flyover.

How will the Park Street flyover help beat the traffic chaos conundrum?

Over to Arun Kumar Sharma, deputy commissioner (traffic): ?A more appropriate assessment would be possible on Tuesday, since the burden was considerably less today. But almost 35 per cent of the traffic should be taking the flyover. The rest will remain on the ground.

?With time, we hope, more people will take the flyover. There are bound to be some teething problems, but we hope the situation will improve over time.?