Kolkata: The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has taken up repair and upgradation of 26 road stretches under the Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) at a cost of Rs 26 crore.
The stretches, with a combined length of around 14 km, are being repaired outside the state government's ongoing ‘Pathashree' road repair scheme, officials said. Several of the roads are being upgraded using interlocking concrete paver blocks.
Key stretches under repair include Benaras Road, Shalimar Workshop Area Road, B Garden Ghat Road, Andul First Bylane near Kazibagan, Salkia School Road near the HIT bridge, and Dharmatala Road from the GT Road crossing to the Belur Road-Dharmatala More junction, among others.
Officials said KMDA's roads and bridges sector conducted a joint inspection with the HMC road department in June last year to identify stretches needing urgent repairs, after heavy monsoon showers caused large craters on several roads.
The Howrah City Traffic Police had reported a 35% rise in accidents, along with multiple instances of pedestrians and commuters being injured after falling into potholes. Repair work began towards the end of last year, and several stretches have already been upgraded.