Salt Lake Road Repairs Finally Begin with Fresh Bitumen Layer in AE Block
Repair work has commenced on some of the most severely damaged internal roads across various blocks in Salt Lake, Kolkata. On Friday, a significant step was taken as a nearly 100-meter stretch from the market to the canal-side road in AE Block—which had long been in a dilapidated condition—was resurfaced with a fresh layer of bitumen. This marks a crucial development in addressing the persistent road maintenance issues that have plagued the area.
Residents Express Relief and Highlight Ongoing Concerns
Local residents have welcomed the repairs, stating they were long overdue. They noted that only limited patchwork had been carried out before last year's Puja festivities, leaving many roads in poor shape. "The stretch had been in a terrible state for quite some time. There are several other roads within the block that also require comprehensive repairs," said Subir Pramanik, a resident of AE Block. Locals pointed out that multiple stretches are riddled with large craters, posing serious safety risks. "Some of these craters are accident-prone. Recently, a rickshaw nearly overturned while passing over one near the AE Block playground," reported a shopkeeper from the market area.
Civic Authorities Outline Repair Plans and Funding Schemes
A civic worker supervising the work confirmed that several such damaged stretches would be repaired and upgraded, with some undergoing bituminous asphalt surfacing. Before the announcement of assembly election dates, the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) had floated tenders for repairing and upgrading the most damaged roads in Salt Lake. The authorities had earlier been provided with a list of stretches requiring urgent attention. In recent months, the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has carried out periodic repairs on several damaged roads, particularly within block interiors, using funds from the Amader Para Amader Samadhan (APAS) scheme.
Historical Context and Future Road Repair Initiatives
Road maintenance has remained a major concern in Salt Lake, with many stretches in poor condition for a long time. Last year, the BMC launched a large-scale repair drive backed by around Rs 25 crore in state funds. While several roads were fixed, potholes and craters soon reappeared in many areas, and several internal stretches were left untouched. In February this year, the state government announced plans to repair 135 road stretches, covering a total of 54.1 km across the BMC areas of Salt Lake and Rajarhat Gopalpur, under the Pathashree urban scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 55.8 crore. "Repair work is being carried out under the APAS scheme, and more roads will be taken up under the Pathashree urban scheme as well as through councillor funds," a BMC official stated.
