The Kolkata Municipal Corporation is waiting for a five-day dry spell for repair of roads that have been battered by heavy downpour recently.
According to mayor Firhad Hakim, the civic body just needs five to six days of dry spell to repair such roads that have been badly affected by the heavy showers. As reiterated by the mayor, whenever the civic body is trying to repair the roads the pitch is getting scrapped out due to rains. Mr Hakim also pointed out: “The soil beneath the city roads is not hard enough. That is why the roads subside. Also, the recent spell was very heavy when around 300 mm rain occurred in a short period.
The mayor’s reaction came in response to the high court asking the state government to repair two busy roads in Howrah and Kolkata within two weeks. The two roads include the stretch between Taratala and Joka (Diamond Harbour Road), between Taratala and Batanagar, and another in Bally’s Sapuipara.
Notably, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata also maintains about 32 public thoroughfares in the city. As informed by the city port authorities, maintenance of Taratala Road was done by PWD since the collapse of Majerhat bridge in 2024. SMP Kolkata processed already for major repair and floated tender at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore and it is expected to award the work shortly. “Major work to start after monsoon. Until such time, urgent action is taken to keep the road in motorable condition. Urgent repair work is in progress on Taratala Road near Jinjira Bazar to restore surface conditions and ease traffic flow. The initiative aims to ensure a smoother motorable condition post-repairs,” said the city port office on the issue.
Talking about the problem of poor roads in the suburbs, Mr Hakim said that the same issue persisted in the sub-urban areas as well.
“To address the issue, we have asked Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority to carry out the road repair works in Howrah. Also, works on both sides of Kalyani Highway would be carried out by the Public Works Department. The natural flow of water has been blocked there. The stretch is being redone by the PWD, who is also doing the planning work for the project. We have already had a discussion on the matter with the PWD minister at the state Assembly. The drainage system on the sides of Kalyani Highway would be done afresh soon,” added the KMC mayor.