The newly formed West Bengal government's second cabinet meeting on Monday centered on the perceived collapse of civic services in urban local bodies governed by the Trinamool Congress, notably the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, and Howrah Municipal Corporation. Ministers attributed the decline in service quality to electoral setbacks and the defeat of senior Trinamool leaders in several urban pockets, asserting that the worsening situation necessitated direct intervention.
Trinamool Chief Directs KMC Officials to Ensure Uninterrupted Services
Amid growing concerns over administrative drift following the assembly elections, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee instructed KMC members of the Mayor-in-Council (MMiCs) to attend office daily and guarantee uninterrupted civic services. Speaking at a meeting with KMC representatives at the party office near her Kalighat residence, Banerjee emphasized that municipal bodies are autonomous institutions and that no external interference should disrupt their functioning. Sources revealed that she questioned several MMiCs regarding irregular attendance.
Stalled Projects Await Approvals in Kolkata
At the KMC headquarters, officials were waiting for approvals to resume projects that had been stalled since the enforcement of the model code of conduct before the elections. Pending proposals include a Rs 100 crore drainage upgrade along the EM Bypass, construction of pumping stations at Amherst Street and Taratala, and a road smoothening project for stretches of the Bypass. Additionally, the water supply department has sought clearance for booster pumping stations in the Tollygunge-Jadavpur belt.
Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation Faces Delays
In the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, road repairs and drainage work in Salt Lake and Rajarhat Gopalpur have slowed as officials await fresh policy directions before issuing tenders. BJP MLAs Sharadwat Mukherjee and Piyush Kanoria met with civic officials to review pending projects and pressed for immediate repairs and drainage upgrades in several waterlogging-prone areas. Mayor Krishna Chakraborty stated that discussions focused on improving civic services and identifying areas where execution needed to be strengthened.
Howrah Residents Allege Severe Civic Breakdown
In Howrah, residents have alleged a complete breakdown of civic services, citing broken roads, garbage accumulation, and poor drainage. Howrah Central MLA Arup Roy admitted that the poll outcome reflected years of deteriorating conditions. BJP leader Om Prakash Singh alleged that despite repeated administrator boards, no work has been done and corruption has flourished.
