Parama Flyover Nighttime Closure from April 28
The flank of Kolkata’s Parama flyover connecting EM Bypass to Park Circus will remain closed from 11pm to 6am between April 28 and May 27 for expansion joint repairs. KMDA and Kolkata Police have arranged night-time traffic diversions to minimise disruption.
Kolkata, 26 April — One flank of the Parama flyover — the crucial stretch that ferries vehicles from the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass to Park Circus — will remain closed to traffic from 11pm to 6am daily, starting 28 April until 27 May. The month-long night-time closure is to facilitate essential repairs to the flyover’s expansion joints, according to a notice issued by Kolkata Police.
The closure affects only night-time traffic, with diversions in place to minimise disruption. Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), which maintains the 7.5-kilometre-long flyover, will undertake the repairs — the first comprehensive replacement of the expansion joints since the flyover opened nearly a decade ago.
An expansion joint is a crucial structural element — a deliberate gap between two concrete deck slabs of a bridge — designed to absorb movements due to thermal expansion and contraction. These joints are fortified with mild steel structures that bear the constant stress of changing temperatures and vehicular loads.
A KMDA engineer explained: “Just as fish plates help distribute weight and movement across railway tracks, the expansion joint seal covers on flyovers carry the load between adjacent spans. Over time, these covers endure wear and tear and must be replaced to maintain structural integrity.”
To carry out the repair works with minimal public inconvenience, the city’s traffic department has devised a night-time diversion plan. Vehicles headed from EM Bypass towards Park Circus will now be redirected via No. 4 Bridge, New Park Street, and Congress Exhibition Road to reach Amir Ali Avenue. Those aiming for AJC Bose Road will proceed further west through Nasiruddin Road before merging onto the AJC Bose Road flyover.
“The traffic volume during late hours is relatively low. Hence, this time window has been chosen for the block,” said Yeilwad Shrikant Jagannathrao, deputy commissioner of police (traffic). “All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth diversion and avoid bottlenecks.”
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma confirmed the timeline, stating in a notification: “The traffic restrictions will be in effect from the night of 28 April through to 27 May.” He also reiterated that senior officers would oversee the implementation to ensure no operational lapses during the period.
While some nighttime commuters may face mild inconvenience, structural engineers have emphasised that this is a crucial preventive measure. “This is a job of paramount importance for the safety and longevity of the Parama flyover,” said a senior KMDA official.
Motorists are advised to plan their late-night journeys accordingly and follow the diversion signs.
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