Population, ‘entertainment biz’ influx has changed area, frayed social fabric
Times of India | 2 August 2024
Kolkata: Two sides of what has now turned into one of the city’s busiest neighbourhoods have transformed remarkably — and in diverging ways — over the last few decades.
One side of the Bypass has changed from neighbourhoods populated by the underprivileged people living in colonies to the neighbourhoods dotted with skyscrapers and stand-alone buildings housing the upper and middle class people.The other side of the road, which once had bheris and wetlands, are now dotted with illegal buildings and “singing bars” that have turned it into a big extortion zone.
Kajal Kumar Ghosh (74), a retired professor of physics at a govt college in Asansol, had bought a flat at VIP Nagar in 2004. Since then, he has been witness to a great change in the character and social fabric of the Bypass belt.
“At that time our building was new and there were several vacant plots in its vicinity. In fact, Bypass had a different look then and the lane leading to our apartment had many tile-shed houses. The old population is still here but the colonies are not. Several illegal buildings have come up on the land where the colonies were located. Extortion gangs are on the prowl and they ask for money from those buying new property,” said Ghosh.
Moloy Malakar (70) who has been living near Uttar Panchannagram since 1982 recounted that the other side of the Bypass was spread over fields and wetlands, with a few shanties where fishermen mostly lived. “The character of this side has changed completely and the population has also increased with many migrating to these areas. A big chunk of this population include employees of private firms in Bypass, Salt Lake and Rajarhat areas. The transformation has also resulted in syndicate raj, crimes and drunken brawls at pubs at night,” said Malakar.
Sushanta Kumar Ghosh, chairman of KMC’s borough XII and councillor of ward 108 that covers several Bypass areas, conceded that there are rampant violations by bars or pubs that stay open till 2 am or 2.30 am, anti-social activities and illegal constructions in the Bypass zone. “I am requesting the administration for a crackdown on these illegal activities. Apart from the negative side, Bypass has become a throbbing zone in the city after Park Street. People from different parts are flocking here for food and entertainment. High-rises, hospitals, Metro connectivity and good transport have improved the standard of living here,” he said.
Suresh Agarwal (56), a businessman who has been living near Bypass for over 20 years said the transformation has both good and bad aspects. “While the Bypass has worn a new look over the last few years, there should also be lens on anti-social activities in some areas,” he said.
Like Agarwal, Shahensha Burman (71), a resident of Purbalok, has also seen the transformation. “Bypass has become one of the city’s prominent locations. But in some parts, there are still law and order issues,” he said.