The 2.2km VIP Road flyover was thrown open to traffic on Sunday, 35 months after its construction started. The flyover, unveiled by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, comes as a boon to fliers by providing them a quick passage over congested stretches of VIP Road in Kestopur and Baguiati. Metro lists some essential facts about the flyover and gives an update of some other flyovers being constructed in the city

VIP Road flyover

Connects: Raghunathpur and Kestopur, on VIP Road 

Length: 2.218km 

Width: 15m — four lanes, two in each flank 

Going over: Kestopur, Baguiati and Joramandir crossings 

Cost: Rs 313.35 crore (state government gave Rs 266.35 crore and the rest was borne by the Centre)

Sanctioned in: November 2010

Work started in: April 2012

 

Fringe benefits of the flyover

Wider artery: Several parts of VIP Road have been widened as part of the flyover project. The width of each flank of the road along the length of the flyover has increased from 8m to 11m.
nPedestrian underpasses: Three underpasses have been built in Kestopur, Joramandir and Baguiati. The restriction on pedestrian movement has sped up traffic. The PWD plans to build subways in Bangur, Teghoria, Kaikhali and near Big Bazaar (the northern end of the flyover). 
nBeautification: VIP Road has been beautified with figures installed on the median strips. The approach from Raghunathpur end of the flyover has flowers planted on the median divider. 

WHAT’S LEFT: No pavement on large stretches of VIP Road. Near Kestopur the pavements are being built. Coming out of the subway, pedestrians have no option but to walk on the road. 

 

Other flyovers

 

Kamalgazi flyover 

The project: From the Kamalgazi crossing on the southern fringe of the city to the Baruipur-Sonarpur Bypass. Vehicles headed towards Sonarpur from Calcutta and vice-versa can avoid the snarl-prone Kamalgazi crossing once the flyover is ready.

Length: 1 km 

Sanctioned in: January 2012

Work started in: January 2013 

Initial construction period: 18 months 

Status: “Construction is likely to be over in a month but it’s not certain when the flyover will be opened to traffic,” said an engineer.

Parama-Park Circus flyover

The project: The main trunk of the flyover will be between The Spring Club on the Bypass and the Park Circus seven-point crossing. The high court has set a deadline of June 2015 for the main trunk. The ramps near PC Chandra Garden on the Bypass and the one that is supposed to merge with the AJC Bose Road flyover has time till June 2016.

Length: 8.14km

Sanctioned in: January 2009 

Work started in: February 2010 

Deadline: August 2012 was the initial deadline. Several deadlines were later set and missed. 

Status: Sources said the June 2015 deadline was unlikely to be met. Foundation work is under way on the stretch between Topsia police station and the seven-point crossing.

Garden Reach flyover

The project: From the Ramnagar crossing in Garden Reach to Diamond Harbour Road. The two arms will descend near the Taratala mint and Mominpur on Diamond Harbour Road. 

Length: 4.32km 

Sanctioned in: March 2014

Work started: November 2014 

Initial construction period: 18 months 

Status: Foundation work under way.

Vivekananda Road flyover 

The project: From near the Howrah bridge to Vivekananda Road, running over some perennially congested stretches like Posta.

Length: 2.2km

Sanctioned in: September 2008 

Work started in: December 2009

Initial construction period: 18 months 

Status: 51 months behind schedule. 
“We are trying to finish it by December,” an engineer said.