Repair of Salt Lake roads takes off after end of festive season
Times of India | 12 November 2024
123 Kolkata: With the festive season coming to an end, the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started repair of roads in Salt Lake. Though civic authorities insist that thorough road repair work will be done in phases, residents of the township are apprehensive as to what extent the authorities would fulfil their repeated promises.
On Monday, road repairs were conducted on a stretch in AE Block, which was patched up only before Puja. However, craters and potholes have reappeared on many of the previously patched-up stretches after a few spells of heavy rain.
Residents allege that though the civic authorities always promise of carrying out full-fledged road repair , often only patchwork is done in haste after long delays.
"Road condition in Salt Lake is pathetic, to say the least, with no thorough repairs done for the last three to four years," said Tamal Pal, a resident of Salt Lake HB Block.
The top layer of bitumin is found eroded on some patched-up stretches in front of the CGO Complex, Bidhannagar North Police Station, and the stretch from JK Saha to Karunamoyee.
"Many of the stretches are in such a terrible state that we have to move on very carefully to avoid skidding off the road," said Kawshik Dutta, a resident of Salt Lake BD block, who commutes to office on a bike regularly.
"The poor condition of roads not only causes accidents, but also delays the arrival of ambulances ," said Shankha Shubhra Chaudhury, an anaesthesia and critical care specialist. Residents said instead of laying bituminous layers repeatedly as part of road repairs, the civic authorities should consider the option to lay mastic asphalt, which is costly but comparatively long-lasting.
"The damaged road surface increases the chances of accidents occurring. The civic authorities should consider doing mastic asphalt work, which is long-lasting," said a resident. In New Town, the New Town Kolkata Development Authority is also conducting road repair works. A few stretches in New Town BA and BB Block were repaired in the last few days. The authorities had floated tenders to engage agencies for road repairs.