Jan. 13: "Not found 404", information technology's equivalent of "I haven't a clue", could be applicable to traffic signage in tech hub Sector V.
Missing or misleading signage directing motorists to no-entry zones or dead ends is one of the triggers of the traffic chaos that makes a visit to Sector V in Salt Lake a daunting prospect, especially for a first-timer. Lax policing, dug-up or occupied pavements and a general disregard for rules add to the traffic violation matrix of pedestrians, buses, autorickshaws, taxis and two-wheelers.
On December 17, a man was injured when a car dashed his bicycle from behind near the CRPF camp gate. Metro drove to Sector V later over the weekend - a holiday for most offices there - and found that little changes on the roads of the tech township even if there are fewer people around.
Silly signage
More than two months have passed since the road between the SDF and Technopolis crossings was made one-way but the old signage hasn't been modified or removed. Motorists, especially those who are not Sector V regulars, often follow these signs and end up in lanes from where there is no easy way out.
The road leading to College More from the Wipro crossing retains signs that point to destinations like Webel More and SDF on the right without mentioning that vehicles won't be allowed to take a right turn at the crossing. Metro noticed several vehicles trying to take a right turn there, only to find other cars coming at them through both flanks.
Kalyan Kar, vice-president of the Sector V Industries' Association, said several visitors to Sector V had told him about how difficult it was to find the right route within the township. "Signage is a problem, especially for new visitors. There should be more signage and in locations where they are visible."
Nishat Parvez, deputy commissioner (headquarters) in the Bidhannagar police commissionerate, said all incorrect signage would be pulled down or replaced soon.
Dug-up pavements
Portions of the pavements between College More and the SDF crossing had been dug up several weeks ago to lay underground pipes. They have yet to be restored for use by pedestrians, although the pipeline project was apparently completed around a week ago.
Since the pavements are covered in mounds of earth and extracted tiles, pedestrians have little option but to walk on the road at the risk of being hit by a vehicle.
Subhendu Ghosh, who works in an engineering company that operates out of Sector V, said pedestrians could not be expected to make way for vehicular traffic if they were robbed of their pavements by hawkers and construction activity. "There are hawkers sitting on the pavement near College More and where else can pedestrians walk but on the road?" he said.
B.N. Kar, executive officer of the Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority that is responsible for civic amenities in Sector V, said all dug-up pavements would be "fixed" within a week.
Illegal U-turn
A sign at College More says you cannot make a U-turn but autorickshaws do this daily, often disturbing the flow of traffic. Metro did not find any police deployment there to stop autorickshaws from taking an illegal U-turn and prosecute offenders.
"Autorickshaws turn right or make a U-turn at the crossing without a care. I have seen autorickshaws and other vehicles close to colliding on several occasions," said a government employee whose office is in Sector V.
Go as you like
The Electronics Complex crossing looked like a free-for-all zone on Saturday. There was no policeman in sight, of course. West-to-east and north-to-south movement of vehicles went on simultaneously, often bringing vehicles head to head.
Pedestrians frantically waved a hand to stop buses while crossing the road. "What you are seeing now gets worse on weekdays. Can't the authorities do something to make the roads safer for all? And to think this is billed as eastern India's most important destination for the technology business!" said a Wipro employee.
Additional reporting by Snehal Sengupta
