₹1,218 Crore New Town–Metropolitan Flyover Moves Closer to Tendering

The proposed 5.9-km New Town–Metropolitan flyover has moved a step closer to implementation after the Urban Development Department cleared the project and forwarded it to the Finance Department for approval.

The project was initially allocated ₹900 crore. However, RITES, which was engaged by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) to vet the project cost, has assessed the requirement at ₹1,218 crore, ₹318 crore higher than the original allocation.

The Finance Department's clearance is required before KMDA can float the tender for the project.

The elevated corridor will connect Metropolitan with New Town, passing through key locations including Chingrighata, Nicco Park and Sector V. The New Town end of the flyover is planned near Panache.

The project is expected to include ramps, noise barriers, CCTV surveillance and bridge-health monitoring systems. These features are planned to support traffic movement as well as the long-term monitoring and maintenance of the elevated structure.

A section of the proposed flyover will pass above the East Kolkata Wetlands. To manage rainwater in the area, drainage pipes are planned to carry water outside the wetland zone.

Once completed, the corridor is expected to improve connectivity between Metropolitan, Sector V and New Town while helping ease congestion along one of the key routes towards Kolkata's eastern growth corridors.

With the Urban Development Department's approval now in place, the next major step is Finance clearance, following which KMDA can proceed with the tendering process.