Night showers wash away KMC’s daytime repair works
Times of India | 5 August 2025
Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has been making the most of the dry period during the day to repair broken stretches on key thoroughfares but the rain at night is washing away the patchworks in several areas.
Though a major portion of EM Bypass was repaired in the past two days, potholes dotting the 500-metre stretch between Avishikta crossing and Ruby crossing resurfaced on Monday morning, slowing down the traffic movement. The pothole-riddled stretch opposite Milan Mela grounds near Science City is in a shambles as well, affecting traffic movement.
Another Bypass stretch — between VIP Bazar and Uttar Panchannagram — still awaits repairs as motorists and bikers are having a tough time negotiating the craters. These potholes were created during the latest spell of rains, according to KMC officials.
Similarly, a portion of Narkeldanga Main Road near Phoolbagan was found to be in tatters while the repairing drive was conducted on some other parts of the road earlier. Taratala Road is also in poor shape.
A senior official of the KMC's roads department said, "We repaired many battered stretches across the city in the past two or three days. However, the rain is constantly hampering the work and ripping off the patchworks. Till Sunday, our repairing drive was conducted extensively on the 17km Bypass stretch between Ultadanga and Dhalai Bridge. The rain derailed the drive at night. We will gradually take up other battered stretches where the repairing drive is left.
"The traffic at Mominpore was smoother in the morning, thanks to KMC laying paver blocks on the southbound lane. However, as traffic pressure grew, the vehicles slowed down. With two schools in Alipore getting over earlier than usual — and two cars breaking down — the traffic crawled by noon. The stretch from Majerhat to Bhabani Bhawan, a usual 12-15 minute ride, took close to 35 minutes.
In the evening, though, the waiting time on Mominpore-Remount Road clocked around 15 minutes as opposed to 25 minutes recorded last week.
Traffic movement is being affected on Dhakuria bridge and Jibanananda Setu as well. Sources said the civic agencies had been approached for repairs. Similarly, police said that Strand Road – where KMC carried out extensive repairs – saw a smoother flow of traffic. However, with the top layer getting washed in the rain, traffic along the approach to Howrah bridge continues to be slower than usual.