Hope for smooth drive as civic body sanctions 6.5cr to repair road linking Behala, Tollygunge
Times of India | 4 November 2024
Kolkata: A special sanction of funds for a thorough repair of Motilal Gupta Road has paved the way for the rejuvenation of the vital link road between Behala and Tollygunge. Motilal Gupta Road, which links Diamond Harbour Road to Mahatma Gandhi Road (Tollygunge), has been in a deplorable condition for a decade due to drainage upgrade work by the KEIIP authority.
According to a source in the KMC roads department, after an inspection of the cratered road that has ceased to be motorable, the civic body decided to sanction Rs 6.5 crore for the restoration of the road and some stretches of MG Road. "After an inspection of the road, an estimate was prepared for the restoration of Motilal Gupta Road for safe and smooth movement of traffic. The roads department didn't execute any work over this road for the past 10 years," conceded a civic official.
According to a source, the matter was recently passed at the KMC House, and the civic body is set to invite a tender for the restoration of the link road.
Residents of Motilal Gupta Road, though relieved by the civic initiative, felt it was hard to believe that the link road would get a proper restoration.
"The road was dug up for a drainage improvement project. Sporadic rain would leave the road inundated. The road condition has worsened to an extent that it has turned into a death trap, and it is hard to negotiate the cratered stretches," said Jayanta Ghosh, a local resident.
Kumar Bose, a Sakherbazar resident, however, welcomed the civic body's decision. "Motilal Gupta Road is a crucial thoroughfare for us as we reach Tollygunge Metro station via this road without wasting time. But recently, I have started avoiding this road as the dug-up stretches lead to the risk of commuting, and a delay is inevitable," said Bose.
A KMC roads department official said the drainage development work adopted by the KEIIP a decade ago did maximum damage to the road. "We have surveyed the condition of the road in stretches and made a plan for its restoration. After selecting a competent agency for its restoration, we will start the work," said the civic official.