State government agencies repair roads on war footing

Kolkata: With few days left for Durga Puja, several roads which were listed by Kolkata Police and sent to various state government agencies for repair works continue to remain in a battered condition.

The monsoon had paved the way for a deplorable condition of city roads which fall under the jurisdiction of various state government agencies. At some places huge potholes continue to pose a threat while at others, the undulating road surface has become a pain for commuters and drivers.

Majority of roads fall under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Municipal Corporation while others fall under agencies such as the Public Works department. In the preceding weeks the Kolkata Police’s Lalbazar headquarters had sent a series of lists compiled on the basis of information provided by traffic guards in the city. These traffic guards were instructed to list the roads in their areas which need immediate repair.

According to the police list, it was learnt that about 330 roads needed repair works. Even as the KMC finished repair works at some of the roads, not all were covered due to the late withdrawal of monsoon, stated a civic body official.

Some of the roads that need repair are Picnic Garden Road, Kushtia Road, Ajoynagar Main Road, and Tarachand Dutta Street, among others. Roads under the PWD too are in dire conditions.

Meanwhile, several pujas have already been inaugurated in the city. Some of them were inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Pandal hoppers have already hit the streets, planning to view some of the pandals in advance in a bid to avert the massive crowding during four days of Puja. In such circumstances, some of the Puja committees have lamented that the roads leading to the pandals continue to remain battered with potholes. They fear that unless repairs are undertaken, it could pave way for accidents when the rush begins.

KMC Mayor Firhad Hakim recently reviewed road conditions. Although he was content with the completed repair works, he regretted that some more roads need to undergo repair works within this week. A KMC official said that work has been taken up on a war footing and is expected to be completed before Saptami (October 21).