Kolkata Roads Weaken as Rains Delay Urgent Repair Works Across City
Continuous monsoon showers have severely worsened Kolkata’s road conditions, forming new potholes and delaying critical repairs, according to officials from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). With daily rainfall hampering restoration efforts, stretches like EM Bypass, Gariahat Road, and Park Circus Bridge have deteriorated rapidly. Commuters report waterlogging and treacherous driving conditions, especially around key junctions, with some areas nearly unmotorable. KMC workers say that despite starting repair work, progress remains stalled without a dry weather window of at least four consecutive days.
In the south and central parts of the city, road surfaces have eroded to the base layer, making them uneven and dangerous. Along the Park Circus connector near Science City, half the road width has become unfit for driving. Potholes that began as minor cracks have widened due to continuous rain and traffic. Near Ballygunge and Gariahat, waterlogging has worsened existing surface damage. Commuters navigating these roads face delays and safety risks, particularly during peak hours when visibility is low and the risk of skidding is high. At EM Bypass near Hiland Park and the downward slope from Baghajatin rail overbridge, only partial patchwork has been completed. The stretch remains riddled with craters that slow traffic and increase travel time significantly. Commuters have reported delays of over 30 minutes to cross short distances. Roads leading to major residential and commercial zones are affected, causing daily disruption for thousands of residents and public transport users.
Meanwhile, fresh potholes have been spotted near PC Chandra Gardens and the road under Ambedkar Bridge, critical arteries that link to the Basanti Highway. The problem is not confined to the surface alone. KMC officials admit that unresolved drainage issues are compounding the damage. On several stretches, repairs cannot be finalised until underground water flow is managed. Officials have begun temporary patchwork in isolated spots, but persistent downpours have disrupted even those attempts. Repair teams are ready, but machinery and materials lie idle as rains undo every attempt at progress. As the civic body awaits rainless days, calls for more weather-resilient road-building methods are growing louder among city planners.
Amid rising public concern, the Calcutta High Court has demanded urgent road repairs within two weeks, warning of legal action in case of delays. But KMC officials insist that only four to five dry days are needed to complete most pending work. This highlights a deeper issue: the need for urban infrastructure that withstands seasonal weather without collapsing into crisis. As Kolkata braces for more rain, residents and authorities alike are forced to confront the growing toll of outdated drainage systems, fragile road surfaces, and reactive rather than resilient planning.
