Kolkata Police have urged the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the Public Works Department (PWD) to accelerate repairs on rain-damaged roads before the Durga Puja rush, warning that accident-prone stretches and severe congestion could worsen during the festival period.
A police officer said an exhaustive repair list had been freshly prepared after reviewing crowd and traffic conditions during previous pujas. The list was also discussed at a coordination meeting where the KMC assured officials that work would begin once the weather improved and would be completed by Mahalaya.
Heavy rain has damaged several major routes, including the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, Deshpran Sashmal Road, CGR Road and DH Road. A stretch near Science City and Mominpore Crossing has been placed at the top of the police list. Police are also concerned about the approaches to Vidyasagar Setu, the Sealdah Flyover and the bridge near Ultadanga.
The reported repair requests include DH Road between Oathakpara and Ekbalpore, Burdwan Road, Strand Road near Howrah Bridge and the Panchannagram stretch of the EM Bypass. The Panchannagram section is currently seeing minor accidents, particularly involving two-wheelers, according to sources cited in the report.
Commuters said daily journeys had become increasingly difficult. Motorist Subhashish Roy described the morning commute as an ordeal. Behala resident Pratip Talukdar said congestion begins near the Majerhat Bridge approach close to Taratala Mint and continues towards Mominpore, while evening traffic slows from Ekbalpore. He also said local authorities had not found an effective alternative route.
The port area is facing an additional road-maintenance challenge because heavy freight movement is combining with waterlogging. Transport Depot Road and Taratala Road, along with the stretch between Kidderpore Crossing and Remount Road, have been particularly affected.
The road conditions are being monitored as Kolkata prepares for the annual Durga Puja festival, when movement of visitors, commuters, emergency vehicles and freight traffic places additional pressure on the city’s arterial network. The KMC’s reported commitment is to begin repairs after improved weather and complete the identified work by Mahalaya.
