Salt Lake Residents Voice Concerns Over Incomplete Road Repairs and Dust Pollution
In the bustling township of Salt Lake, Kolkata, recent road repair initiatives under the Amader Para Amader Samadhan (APAS) and Pathashree urban schemes have brought temporary relief to some areas. However, a significant number of battered stretches remain untouched, rapidly deteriorating and causing substantial inconvenience to motorists and residents alike. The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been periodically addressing damaged roads, particularly within internal blocks, using APAS funds over the past few months.
Repaired Areas and Ongoing Issues
Specific sections have seen improvements, including internal stretches in BE, BF, CF blocks, areas around Baisakhi and Karunamoyee, and the lanes of Vidyasagar Niketan in EA Block. Despite these efforts, many other blocks continue to suffer from neglected road conditions. For instance, a 200-meter stretch connecting two parts of AE Block has been in a pitiable state for years, with residents like Anirban Mahapatra noting it has not been thoroughly repaired in at least three to four years, becoming almost unmotorable.
Similarly, the road from CK CL market to Chawlpatty, repaired just last year, has already degraded, now pitted with large craters. Dipankar Mukherjee, a CL block resident, highlighted that this damage occurred within two months of repair, leading to severe dust pollution as loose bitumen aggregate scatters, creating a dust bowl environment. Santa Chatterjee from DL block echoed these concerns, stating that perilous road conditions in multiple parts of the township are exacerbating dust pollution and affecting daily life.
Government Response and Funding Challenges
In response to growing complaints, Bidhannagar MLA and minister Sujit Bose wrote to minister Firhad Hakim, urging repairs for several battered stretches. Following this, the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) estimated costs at approximately Rs 6.7 crore and floated tenders just two days before the election model code of conduct took effect on March 15. These tenders included all roads mentioned by Bose, such as those in AE Block.
Road repair and maintenance have long been a major concern in Salt Lake. After delays, BMC authorities launched a road repair drive in March last year with around Rs 25 crore sanctioned by the state government. While several roads were addressed, not all battered stretches, especially those inside blocks, were adequately covered, leaving gaps in the township's infrastructure.
Residents continue to call for comprehensive action to address the deteriorating roads and associated dust pollution, emphasizing the need for sustained efforts beyond periodic repairs. The situation underscores ongoing challenges in urban maintenance and the impact on community well-being in Kolkata's suburban areas.
