Accident-prone Kona Expressway gets traffic lights

kolkata: the howrah district administration has chalked out an elaborate plan to make the nine-km stretch on kona expressway, from vidyasagar setu to national highway-6, safer for motorists. the stretch is extremely accident-prone and a major accident on april 12 here killed 22 people. “an automated traffic light near unasani, where the accident occurred, has been installed at an estimated cost of rs 4.14 lakh and open tenders were invited to avoid any delay� said vivek kumar, district magistrate, howrah.the system was inaugurated by howrah mp swadesh chakraborty on sunday. the money came from chakraborty’s local area development scheme fund. besides, the district administration has identified 14 vulnerable spots on the accident -prone stretch, where automatic traffic lights and railings are to be installed shortly. “apart from this, warning sign boards will be placed at major points on the nine-km stretch soon,� kumar added. according to kumar, matador and tata sumo drivers are the biggest offenders. they drive at breakneck speed on this nine-km stretch. “people living on either side of the kona expressway are also to blame. these people are often seen loitering on the carriageway,� kumar said. since the accident, minister for urban development and municipal affairs asok bhattacharya, too, has focused attention on the expressway. bhattacharya is also the chairman of the kolkata metropolitan development authority (kmda). on april 4 he had inaugurated the revamped four-lane two-km stretch of kona expressway from unasani to salap. now the kmda plans to tone up facilities at vulnerable spots. it has also proposed to spend rs 21 lakh for the purpose. but even with the district administration and the kmda unveiling a series of measures, the kona expressway would continue to remain a dangerous drive unless errant drivers curb their reckless instincts.