The work on the long-pending Chingrighata section of Kolkata Metro’s Orange Line will commence along the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass (EM Bypass) from May 15, and Kolkata Police have announced major traffic diversion plans around Chingrighata for two consecutive weekends this month. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), the executing agency for the corridor, will undertake segment launching over piers P-317, P-318 and P-319 as part of the elevated viaduct construction between Kavi Subhas and the airport. The operations have been scheduled to minimise disruption while enabling the construction required for the stretch. In the first phase a closure will be enforced from eight pm on May 15 to eight am on May 18 to allow launching of segments between piers P-317 and P-318 across the western flank of the EM Bypass, and in the second phase a closure will be enforced from eight pm on May 22 to eight am on May 25 for segment launching between P-318 and P-319 across the eastern flank. The restrictions will remain in force for 60 hours at a stretch in each phase. A notification issued by Kolkata Police on May 13 stated that the Commissioner of Police Ajay Nand described the diversions as necessary in the interest of public safety and convenience and that the temporary measures have been implemented under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, the Calcutta Police Act, the Calcutta Suburban Police Act and the West Bengal Traffic Regulation Act. During Phase one the western flank near Chingrighata underneath the flyover will remain partially closed for north-bound traffic and all north-bound vehicles heading towards Salt Lake and the airport will be diverted from the EM Bypass near NX Hotel onto a newly constructed diversion road under the viaduct towards Chingrighata. Vehicles using the Chingrighata flyover to enter Salt Lake will be redirected through the same corridor before proceeding to Chingrighata crossing and Broadway into the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate area. During Phase two the eastern flank will close for south-bound traffic. Commuters have been urged to plan journeys in advance and allow additional travel time, and motorists have been requested to follow on-ground traffic instructions and cooperate with personnel deployed at diversion points.