Cops urge KMC, KMDA to repair roads before start of festive season
Times of India | 18 December 2024
Kolkata: It is that time of the year when police are usually not worried about the poor condition of the roads in the city, with stretches getting repaired during Durga Puja. However, certain patches in the city have become such a challenge that cops were forced to send an SOS to civic agencies for their immediate repairs before the year-end festive season starts.
Among the roads specially mentioned are the link from AJC Bose Flyover to Maa Flyover, Penn Road, and MG Road in Karunamoyee besides a couple of roads in the Port area. "At present, the major problem is the undulated roads rather than the cratered ones. This causes bikers to lose balance, which can lead to serious accidents," said a south traffic guard OC.
Cops say KMC and other agencies have begun necessary work. However, they insist there are still specific stretches around major festive spots where the repair work is yet to begin. Police have now begun drawing up a list of such stretches. An initial list in this regard has also been shared with concerned agencies.
The KMC said that they have already taken three key roads for smoothening — Belvedere Road, Burdwan Road and Alipore Road. While work at Burdwan Road is over, Belvedere Road is partially completed. "This is CM's route and we are aware of the importance of this area. We will complete the work soon once we receive the cops' go-ahead," said a KMC official. The KMDA said they carry out periodical repairs. "Given the huge pressure on the road, we believe these hardships are temporary in nature," said a KMDA official.
Among the roads that cops want the civic agencies to concentrate on are the Mominpore stretch on Diamond Harbour Road and the Ultadanga underpass. "We prepared a list ahead of Christmas and requested the authorities to look into it. Now we are preparing a more detailed report. It is easier to manage traffic and people during the festival when the condition of the roads is good, as we can predict the traffic cycles correctly," said a senior officer.
"Unlike every other year, this time the authorities have not done a thorough patchwork during pujas and the work seems hurried due to the heavy rains at that time. The condition of Diamond Harbour Road and Taratala Road is so bad that driving is a challenge. In some stretches, two different levels have been created on the road surface," said Satadru Bose, a resident of Maheshtala.
Police are drawing up contingency plans. They have requisitioned a number of NCC cadets and are trying to hold training programmes for Christmas time volunteers at the traffic guards.
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