Traffic Congestion and Environmental Quality: A Case Study of Kolkata City

Abstract

Traffic congestion is one of the major problems in the city of Kolkata due to high growth rates of motorized transport. Most of the busy traffic intersection points in Kolkata are badly affected by huge traffic congestion. Park Circus Seven Point Crossing, Behala Chowrasta , Shyambazar Five Point Crossing, M.G Road, Gariahat, Jadavpur Police Station Crossing, Ultadanga, Science City Connector, Esplanade, B.B.D Bag are some of the important intersection points which have been considered as major congested traffic points in Kolkata. Encroachment of the road by pavement dwellers and illegal car parking has reduced the widening space of the road and even improper construction of road divider, unscientific construction of speed breaker, size and weight of the car, problem of traffic signaling system and traffic diversion, more number of on road personalized cars, two wheelers and autos are some of the reasons behind the traffic congestion in the city of Kolkata. Due to traffic jam a substantial portion of working hours have to be left on street which directly put adverse impact on economy. Congestion causes tremendous vehicular air pollution within the city of Kolkata. According to the survey conducted by West Bengal Pollution Control Board in the year 2012-2013, it has been observed that concentration of major vehicular air pollutants such as So2, NO2, Pb, NOX, SPM, RPM, Benzene, Volatile Organic Compounds, CO and CO2 are high in proportion at some of the major traffic points include Esplanade, B.B.D Bag, Shyambazar, Park Circus, Gariahat,, Tollygunge Phanri, M.G Road crossing,Ultadanga, Science City Connector due to maximum congestion during peak hours. In this paper an attempt has been made to point out the present scenario of traffic congestion and assess the environmental quality at some major intersection points within the city of Kolkata.