KMC restores obscure North Kolkata lane

Kolkata: Drives against vector-borne diseases by the health department of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has led to the discovery of a narrow lane at ward 11 in North Kolkata.

The narrow lane, an extension of Ganendra Mitra Lane which remained closed for more than 35 years, has been thrown open for pedestrians by Member Mayor-in-Council (Health) Atin Ghosh, who also happens to be the councillor of ward 11. The road was closed as anti-social activities had reached its peak in the 80s in that area.

Ghosh and his team was conducting a door to door awareness campaign against vector-borne disease in March when they found a heap of garbage piled up on Ganendra Mitra Lane, just opposite to a factory.

The lane was closed with an iron gate at one side and a low brick wall on the other.

The narrow lane leads to Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road.

When Ghosh enquired into the reason for its closure, seniors residing in the place informed him that it remained closed since 1983 with rampant anti-social activities being the reason.

The narrow lane was a favourite escape route for criminals after snatching or similar criminal activities. "I decided on clearing up the heap of garbage that had turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes and then opened the lane for pedestrians.

It took me more than two months to restore it but residents are happy that it has now been made fit for pedestrian movement," Ghosh said.

Ghosh had taken up the matter with his fellow MMiC (Solid Waste Management) Debabrata Majumder and urged him to do the needful with priority.

The garbage and bushes that have grown in the entire 70 metre length and 5 feet wide lane was cleared.

The entire cost for cleaning involved around Rs 50 lakh. The lane has been restored in a befitting manner and illuminated with lights.

The KMC has been conducting regular drives across the city to control vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria, which have been affecting city residents since long time.