Bankim Setu, a key road link between Howrah and Kolkata, has developed multiple potholes after heavy rain, forcing traffic police personnel to fill some of them with broken bricks as the administration promises repairs before the upcoming Durga Puja.
The bridge connects Howrah Maidan with routes towards Kolkata and carries substantial daily traffic. According to a report by Anandabazar – West Bengal, potholes have appeared at several points on the bridge because of poor maintenance. Rainwater collecting inside the damaged sections has increased the difficulty faced by motorists and has reportedly led to minor accidents.
The road connected to the bridge at Harimohan Basu Road is also affected by potholes. Local residents said the stretch experiences heavy traffic every day and requires immediate repairs to prevent a more serious accident. The reported use of broken bricks by traffic police personnel to fill the holes highlights the immediate nature of the problem, but does not amount to a permanent resurfacing measure.
Motorcyclists using the route have described near-miss incidents. Siraj Ansari, identified in the report as a local motorcyclist, said that roads across much of Howrah city were in poor condition. Howrah resident Sanjib Singh said his motorcycle wheel fell into a pothole while he was crossing Bankim Setu towards Kolkata, and that he narrowly avoided an accident after managing to steady the vehicle.
The condition of the bridge comes amid wider complaints about civic services and roads in Howrah. The city has also seen protests over waterlogging in several areas after heavy rain in recent days. The report links the deteriorating roads to a broader maintenance problem, with residents demanding action on stretches used by large numbers of commuters.
The administration has announced a repair programme. Urban development minister Agnimitra Pal said Rs 25 crore had been allocated for repairing roads in Howrah city and that the work would be completed before Durga Puja. The minister recently visited Howrah and inaugurated road repair works in different parts of the city.
The reported repair plan covers the wider road network, while the administration’s statement does not specify the exact allocation for Bankim Setu or Harimohan Basu Road. No detailed engineering schedule, contractor information or traffic-management plan was included in the report. For commuters, the next key step is the promised start of repair work before the festival period.
