A major part of the Parama-Park Circus flyover is likely to be ready by Puja after a three-year delay, officials of the implementing agency of the project and the contractors have said, raising hopes of a smooth ride between eastern and central Calcutta.

The portion that is nearing completion spans 7km - from the Silver Spring housing estate on the Bypass to the Park Circus seven-point crossing, and two arms descending on the Bypass near the PC Chandra Gardens.

Another 1.4km-part of the high road, from the seven-point crossing to the AJC Bose Road flyover, is likely to be ready around July 2016.

"Only about 20 per cent of work is left. That will be over by August," said Dilbag Singh, the construction head of HCC, one of the two contractors building the flyover.

The other contractor is L&T, which is building a 700m -stretch parallel to the No. 4 bridge.

Work is now underway mainly on the stretch between the Tiljala crossing and the Park Circus seven-point crossing. "We have started installing lights, which is done at the last stage of the work," said Singh.

An official of the Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), the implementing agency of the project, said they had targetted wrapping up work on the 7km-stretch by July.

Sources said the deadline could have been met had key consents from police and the railways come a little earlier.

"Work on a stretch over New Park Street got delayed by five months. We wanted to start work in July but failed as the police permission to block New Park Street came only in December," a source said.

Once the police consent arrived, several underground utilities such as water pipes, electricity cables and cooking gas lines had to be shifted.

Another problem point was an 80m stretch above the railway tracks at Park Circus station. "The railways gave permission a few days ago to start construction above the tracks," the source said.

The railways while granting permission has sought Rs 6 crore, which the CMDA thinks is too high and is yet to pay. "Work cannot begin till the money is paid. If we can start work on the stretch immediately, it is likely to be over by August," an L&T official said.

Once the main trunk - the 7km stretch - is opened to traffic, commuters will be able to reach the Park Circus seven-point crossing from the Bypass in less than five minutes. "There will be no wait at the traffic signals. The road below will become less congested as most vehicles will take the flyover," a CMDA official said.

Last year, HCC had moved court seeking a hike in the project cost because of the delay - around three years. The firm attributed the delay to the CMDA's failure to provide work site in time. The court granted the escalation and ordered all concerned to finish work on the main trunk by July.

Another flyover the city is keenly waiting for - over Vivekananda Road in north Calcutta - is running late by over 50 months.