Urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya on Monday announced the decision to close down the flyover. The flyover on the EM Bypass, that links Patuli to the Prince Anwar Shah Road connector, developed a two-footwide crater on August 17.

But a tussle between IRCON and Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority over who should do the repairs has ensured that vehicles continue to ply, though the crater has been cordoned off.

But Bhattacharya said he is no longer ready to take risks. "The incident in Hyderabad has taught us a lesson. I don't think we should allow vehicles to ply any longer on the overbridge. I have asked the CEO of KMDA to visit the area and submit a report. We will issue the detailed notification on the suspension in a day or two," he said.

The government had already decided that the damaged portion would be demolished and constructed afresh. "Ideally, this work should be done by IRCON as they had built this portion, which has developed a crater due to use of substandard material," he said. If IRCON is not ready to take up repairs, KMDA would do it and "send the bill to IRCON", the minister said.