Sec V-Bantala road to get paver upgrade for faster travel to Ruby

Kolkata: The state govt has handed over a 7-km stretch connecting Sector V and Bantala to Nabadiganta Industrial Township Authority (NDITA) for upgrade and straightening with concrete pavers to develop the stretch as an alternative link betw-een Sector V and Ruby via Basanti Highway.Once the road is upgraded, the travel time between Sector V and Basanti Highway will be reduced by almost half, as motorists intending to move towards Ruby from Sector V will be able to avoid the busy Chingrighata crossing and EM Bypass. Govt officials said that the road, starting from the backyard of Sector V in Mahisbathan and connecting with Basanti Highway at Bantala, has been in existence for a long time, but is not motorable in many parts.
"At present, vehicles intending to move towards Ruby from Sector V now take Chingrighata crossing, which is heavily congested. It was under consideration for some time to upgrade the existing 7-km stretch connecting the Sector V Ring Road at Mahisbathan with Bantala, moving through the areas of Thakdari, Khasmahal, Choynavi and Chakher Bheri falling under Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, as it would help Ruby-bound motorists avoid taking the busy Chingrighata crossing and travel towards Ruby faster," an official said.Officials said that, at present, the stretch is mostly unpaved. "The plan is to upgrade and strengthen the entire stretch with concrete pavers so that vehicles can travel both ways on two lanes. NDITA is preparing cost estimates for the project, and tenders are expected to be floated soon," a govt official said.Officials said the upgraded road will also help Bantala-bound motorists travel faster. "At present, motorists from Salt Lake and Sector V take Bypass and then a left towards Basanti Highway to go towards the Bantala IT hub. Once the Sector V-Bantala link is upgraded, motorists will find it easier and faster to reach Bantala from Sector V," an official said.The road, once upgraded, will also develop a larger ring road formation surrounding Sector V and the bheri areas. Beginning from Chingrighata crossing on EM Bypass, the route will follow Salt Lake Bypass and Sector V before entering the 7-km connecting link to Bantala at Basanti Highway, which, in turn, meets EM Bypass near Parama Island, thereby completing the circle.