KMDA to Repair Salt Lake Roads After BMC Delays.

Amid delays by Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) in carrying out full-scale road repairs in Salt Lake, the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has been tasked with prioritizing the repair of the most-damaged stretches. The work is expected to be completed ahead of the upcoming Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) early next year.

The authorities have begun the process of engaging agencies for road repairs across the three sectors of Salt Lake, with an estimated cost of ₹12 crore. Key stretches identified for repair and upgradation include PNB Island to Canalside Road, Tank No. 4 to Khalpar in Sector I, J K Saha to Karunamoyee, Kathgola Island to Canalside Road, and several others across Sector II and III.

Despite funds being approved by the state, BMC has only carried out patchwork repairs and has not initiated full-scale roadwork. According to government officials, these roads are now listed for urgent repairs before BGBS. Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim recently stated that BMC is facing a shortage of engineers, prompting KMDA to lend engineers on an emergency basis to strengthen BMC’s engineering wing.

Residents of Salt Lake, such as Samita Bardhan Majumdar from CE Block, have expressed frustration with the deteriorating road conditions. “The condition of roads in Salt Lake has been terrible for a long time. I have to take my car for servicing quite often due to damage from the bad roads,” she said.

Recently, the Association of Bidhannagar Citizens, a newly-formed forum, submitted a memorandum to the Mayor highlighting that nearly 70% of the roads in Salt Lake are in poor condition, contributing to dust pollution and further damage.

ET