A flagship project developed by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) six years ago, is now facing severe neglect, transforming into a potential health hazard for residents due to rampant mosquito breeding.
Costing Rs 10 crore and initially boasting 112 boats and over 100 relocated hawkers from EM Bypass roadside areas, the market has since fallen into disrepair. Maintenance woes compounded by declining footfall, exacerbated by Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, have left the water body choked with hyacinth and strewn with debris, including broken wooden platforms and damaged boats.
Local residents residing in the cooperative housing complexes adjacent to the market are now living in fear of a dengue outbreak. They report closing doors and windows nightly to fend off mosquitoes breeding in the stagnant, polluted water. The pervasive stench of decaying garbage further compounds the dire situation, prompting calls for urgent action from civic authorities. Despite repeated complaints to local authorities, little has been done to address the deteriorating conditions at the Patuli floating market. Residents lament the apparent apathy towards maintaining cleanliness around the water body, with garbage continuing to accumulate unchecked.
KMDA officials acknowledge the deteriorating state of the market, noting recent inspections and discussions with local authorities regarding potential renovation efforts. However, the path forward remains uncertain amidst ongoing neglect and environmental degradation. The plight of Patuli’s floating market underscores broader challenges in urban development and public infrastructure maintenance in Kolkata. The need for proactive management and sustained investment in revitalizing public spaces like the floating market is crucial not only for economic revitalization but also for safeguarding public health against preventable diseases like dengue.
