KMC’s ‘concrete steps’ to save roads from rain ravage
Times of India | 17 July 2024
12 Kolkata: The KMC roads department has started paving some of the city stretches with concrete blocks to ensure they last longer, withstanding the onslaught of rain and waterlogging. The civic body has started with a couple of roads in Behala and Joka, where gaping craters appear after flooding following every sharp bout of showers.
Pointing out that the bituminous surface of roads developed cracks easily from water accumulation, a KMC roads department official said after consulting experts, they were experimenting with concrete blocks, hoping they would ensure longevity.The civic body has laid a stretch of James Long Sarani and the entire Joka Canal Road, which connects Diamond Harbour Road with Bakrahat Road, with the water-resistant concrete blocks. “These roads have been taken up as they are located in severe waterlogging zones,” said the civic official, adding that if the experiment succeeded, they would take up other stretches as well. “We will check the effects of monsoon on the newly laid roads. If the initiative bears fruit, we may include some other stretches, subject to approval of the civic authorities,” he added.
Hyde Road has also been laid with concrete blocks.
A senior roads department official said repairing rain-ravaged roads had become a headache. “Roads in several parts of Behala and Joka lie in wretched condition. During the monsoon, we carry out temporary patch-ups and take up thorough repairs once the rains get over. But by the time the next monsoon arrives, these stretches develop cracks from accumulated water,” said the official. TOI had earlier reported on the poor condition of Hyde Road, which would be ravaged every monsoon despite repairs. In July last year, TOI carried photographs of gaping potholes between Kidderpore and Jinjira Bazar in Taratala that slowed down traffic considerably.
But after the concrete block laying, commuters have been pleasantly surprised. “I would usually avoid Hyde Road while returning home as it would be potholed and dusty. But this season, it has been surprisingly in a great condition despite the load of heavy vehicles and the spells of rain. It’s the fastest route from my office in Howrah to my home in Parnasree and the journey has been comfortable this season,” said Pratik Das, who commutes between his home and office on his two-wheeler.
Residents of James Long Sarani hope this initiative would spare them the monsoon commute pain. “We suffer every monsoon as several parts of James Long Sarani develop craters. It happens despite KMC’s repairs,” said Amiya Bose, a retired govt official who lives on James Long Sarani. “We hope this cycle will be broken.”