In dry spell, KMC focuses on crater-riddled bridge surfaces
Times of India | 19 August 2025
Kolkata: After repairing roads, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is now focusing on the road surface of several bridges in the city that are in dire need of repair. Large craters have rendered Bridge No. 4 near Park Circus hazardous for bikes and autos. Potholes have also appeared on Dhakuria bridge and Taratala flyover. Accidents have increased on these stretches over the past three weeks due to lack of comprehensive repairs. Mohammed Siraj, an auto driver and resident of Topsia, said auto drivers had raised the issue with the local traffic guard and KMC, urging them to undertake urgent repairs. "There have been a large number of cases of bikers falling on the bridge after hitting a crater in the evening or at night — because of a lack of road repair and no proper illumination. In a couple of cases, autos overturned while trying to give way to larger vehicles during rush hours," said Siraj.
A KMC roads department official confirmed that Bridge no. 4, and all arterial roads leading to it, were on the essential repairs list. Kolkata Traffic Police, in their report submitted to the KMC about stretches of roads requiring immediate repair, listed Bridge No. 4 as a priority.
"Bridge No. 4 features on our priority list and the list submitted by the traffic wing of the Kolkata Police. But at present, we have put all major repair drives on hold due to consistent rain. We are waiting for a prolonged dry spell so that we can take up repair of all major roads simultaneously," the KMC roads department official said.
Mohammed Alam, a resident of Shamsul Huda Road, expressed dissatisfaction with this reasoning. "While accidents are happening at regular intervals on Bridge No. 4, the civic body is waiting for a dry spell. First, we need to save lives even by doing patchwork. Later, the KMC can take up thorough repair and wrap up the work before the pujas," Alam said.
Similarly, stretches on Dhakuria Bridge have developed potholes, posing a threat to bikers and auto passengers. Prabir Mitra, a resident of Dhakuria, said the number of potholes is increasing while KMC delays the repair drive. "Scared by the condition of the bridge, a section of residents took up the matter with the local police station and the local KMC office, requesting an immediate repair of the craters. But all requests have so far fallen on deaf ears," Mitra said.
The condition of stretches on Taratala flyover is also poor, with craters emerging due to absence of thorough repairs. "We have been treading with extreme caution while driving on the flyover that has developed large craters. We have brought the matter to the notice of the civic authorities and are waiting for a repair drive," said Ashoke Bose, a Parnasree resident who has a bike.