The bridge that has witnessed many fatal accidents stands repaired. Traffic channels, high-mast lamps and signage have all been put in place. 

But is the ride down Kona Expressway, a 7km stretch from the Vidyasagar Setu toll plaza to Nibra, any safer than what it was last October, when actor Pijush Ganguly died after his car was hit by a bus on Santragachhi flyover while he was driving home to Calcutta? Metro took a ride from Vidyasagar Setu to Nibra and back during the evening rush hour. Here’s how it went.

Howrah Gate, 6.06pm

As soon as one goes past the Vidyasagar Setu toll plaza and hits Kona Expressway, the six-lane thoroughfare narrows to two lanes, resulting in congestion. “Kona Expressway handles about 20,000 vehicles between nine and 11 in the morning and almost as many between five and seven in the evening,” said Sumit Kumar, deputy commissioner (traffic,) Howrah. The speedometer touched 60kmph after crossing the Howrah Gate, which has two footballs spinning atop, on a Wednesday evening. Along the Expressway, a concrete divider has been erected to separate vehicles according to their direction. Plants have been sowed but many have withered under the scorching sun. 

The next major landmark after the Howrah Gate is the Ma Mati Manush Park, which falls to the right of the Nibra-bound lane. The left edge of the lane is still to be concretised. Helmets, Rajasthani pots and sundry other items were on display along the channel for motorists to stop and shop. 

Further down the road, as one approached the Drainage Canal Road crossing, traffic slows down. Here the Nibra-bound lane has been split into two with plastic dividers. Cars and buses take the left channel and goods vehicles the right channel.

Text by Anasuya Basu, pictures by Anup Bhattacharya