The Kolkata Airport has only one entry point through gate number one, causing frequent traffic snarls at the airport crossing. “The slipways will ease traffic at the VIP Road-Jessore road crossing,” said VK Monga, the director of the NSCBI Airport.

A 30 m slipway near gate number 2 will allow vehicles to enter the airport from Jessore Road, via Airport Road. Fliers will be able to avoid congestion at the VIP Road-Jessore Road and VIP Road-Airport Road crossings. This road was inaugurated on February 23 and will be open to the public from March 4.

The proposed slipway will allow vehicles from the airport to reach Nagerbazar without congesting the VIP Road-Jessore Road crossing. “The two slip roads were proposed in a meeting among the Airport Advisory Committee, police and the public works department. The suggestions were conveyed to the Airports Authority of India and a proposal was sent to Delhi,” said MP Amitava Nandi.

Nearly 6,000 vehicles head to the airport daily. The figure is expected to touch 24,000 after modernisation of the airport, the first phase of which will be over in 2010.