First 'Talk to Mayor' session sees stellar response

Kolkata: There was overwhelming response from the city-dwellers to talk to Mayor Firhad Hakim over telephone to register their complaints. The first session of 'Talk to Mayor', where people can call him up on the toll free number 1800-345-1213, began on Wednesday. Hakim will talk to the residents of Kolkata from 3pm to 4pm every Wednesday, lending ear to their grievances.

Senior civic officials including the municipal commissioner Khalil Ahmed, special municipal commissioner Tapas Chowdhury, all director generals, chief engineers and senior officials of various departments were present during the session. The phone was connected to a loudspeaker to help the senior officials listen to the calls.

While talking to newsmen after the session, Hakim said the response of the people was overwhelming. "It will help the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) improve its service and work culture," he said.

A K Chatterjee, a resident of Chakraberia Road South, alleged that garbage cleaning on the road has been affected due to roadside hotels on the pavement, motor repairing shops and food stalls. Hakim said the garbage will be cleaned from said spot in three days.

Another resident called up from the southern fringes of the city and alleged that the open drains have not been cleaned regularly. Hakim asked P K Dua, director general (civil) to note down the complaint and take up the matter immediately. Another person called up from Kasba and wanted to know the procedure to mutate his property in his name.

The KMC also called up 100 city-dwellers on Wednesday and asked them to comment on the condition of road, supply of drinking water, maintenance of parks or removal of garbage in the area they live in. "These complaints have also been registered and action will be taken immediately," Hakim said.

The Mayor said the KMC is contemplating to set up an area where cars will be washed with unfiltered water. "Cleaning of cars with filtered water when there are pockets in Kolkata where there is water scarcity, is not a healthy practice. We are trying to set up a separate zone where cars will be washed with unfiltered water," he said.

He said the civic authorities will ask the builders of big housing complexes to install rain water harvesting facilities. It may be recalled that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will take part in a rally to create awareness on conservation of water on July 12. Hakim said awareness campaign will be aimed at requesting people not to waste water.