The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) civic board has been dissolved, with Commissioner Ravi Agarwal appointed as the administrator of the civic body. The authorities are now working round-the-clock to ensure uninterrupted civic services, with a primary focus on monsoon preparedness.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism
With councillors no longer available for citizens to approach for civic services, the authorities have introduced a toll-free grievance cell number — 6292234126 — for residents to call at any time for civic assistance. A civic official stated, “The number, along with the name and contact number of the ward supervisor and assistant for all 41 wards, has been pasted on the walls of respective ward offices. The number will be active round-the-clock, and a team will be deployed 24 hours to address any urgent issues.”
The civic authorities are also exploring technology interventions, such as applications or systems, to allow citizens to report issues related to civic amenities. However, an official noted, “This will take some time. The BMC headquarters office is always open, where citizens can come for any civic issue.”
Infrastructure and Monsoon Preparedness
Road repair and maintenance remain a challenge for the civic authorities. “We are trying to repair as many road stretches as possible on a priority basis. The KMDA will also be involved,” said a civic official. The authorities are working primarily on the upcoming monsoon. “We want to ensure that electric feeder boxes are safe to prevent electrocution during monsoon. Prevention of waterlogging is another area the civic body is working on. An extensive cleaning drive of gully pits is underway. Civic teams are being mobilised from early morning, and senior officials from the borough level are also on the field from 6 am to 2 pm to ensure that gully pits and drainage lines are cleaned,” an official explained.
Waste Management and Plastic Ban
Officials said the civic body is focusing on waste segregation and has launched a plastic ban campaign. “A campaign is underway saying that plastic should not be used,” an official stated.
Administrative Changes
The BMC civic board was dissolved on Saturday, with Commissioner Ravi Agarwal taking over as administrator with immediate effect. The 11-year-old civic body was formed in 2015. This development came two days after Krishna Chakraborty resigned as mayor. According to an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary Khalil Ahmed, Agarwal has been appointed as administrator for a period not exceeding six months or until the newly elected councillors take charge, whichever is earlier.
Bidhannagar MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee said he is coordinating with the BMC commissioner, who has now been appointed as administrator, to monitor civic services. “I will be helping the administrator with all my resources. Providing uninterrupted civic services, especially with the monsoon ahead, is the top priority,” Mukherjee said.
BMC has been facing a crisis since the formation of the new BJP government, with several of its councillors caught up in legal battles. Four of the civic body’s 41 councillors have been arrested on different charges, and some have moved court seeking interim protection.
