South reaps repair benefits, craters resurface in north

KOLKATA: Four days after the Kolkata Municipal Corporation launched a massive roadrepair drive prodded by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, a survey by TOI revealed mixed pictures as far as status of major stretches across the city is concerned.
While arterial roads in large areas of south Kolkata have been brought under an effective repair drive, the same for some north Kolkata roads was taken up in a haste resulting in more trauma for commuters.The roads in added areas, especially the stretches of Diamond Harbour Road in Behala, need attention before they crumble further to traffic pressure.
Craters on major roads in south such as Alipore Judges’
Court Road, Rashbehari Avenue, S P Mukherjee Road, Asutosh Mukherjee Road and Deshapran Sashmal Road have been filled with hot-mix material after night-long drives. According to a KMC roads department official, since the civic body’s road repair gang managed to get longer hours at night to undertake repair, work could be completed satisfactorily. However, some stretches of arterial roads in north underwent repair drive during busy traffic hours. Potholes have re-surfaced on Chittaranjan Avenue even after repair works in the past three days. Similarly, some stretches of APC Roy Road and Manicktala Main Road need a fresh repair drive, felt a KMC official.
A visit to Behala on Tuesday, meanwhile, revealed pathetic condition of stretches of the DH Road that has been kept out of the purview of the repair drive. Taratala intersection is one such stretch where large craters are slowing down traffic and causing snarls. Sakherbazar is another stretch where potholes pose threat to commuters, especially the bikers at night. Chowrasta is no exception. This stretch of the DH Road lies in a shambles, felt Anjan Bose, a local trader.
At a meeting with officials, mayor Sovan Chatterjee said efforts should be made by civic road repair gang to follow strict rules while repairing craters. “You should keep in mind that in order to repair the craters, preparation of an under bed is of utmost importance. Please follow a detailed procedure for crater repair,” Chatterjee advised civic officials. Later talking to media persons Chatterjee said talks were on to ink an agreement with KMC enlisted contractors making them accountable for maintenance of roads. “Any contractor who will be awarded a road repair contract, will be asked to maintain it for at least three years,” said Chatterjee.