New Town-Rajarhat road junction naming sparks protest; Panchayat member accused | Watch

A controversy has erupted in Rajarhat-Patharghata over the naming of a newly constructed road junction connecting New Town’s IT hub Ecospace to Rajarhat’s 211 Road. Locals staged a protest on Tuesday morning, alleging that Patharghata Gram Panchayat member Kalyan Laskar unilaterally named the junction after his daughter, ‘Sreeja More’, without any public consultation. Protesters claim that the nameplate was put up overnight, leading to widespread discontent in the area.

Residents state that the newly built road has significantly improved connectivity for multiple villages, including Patharghata, Chapna, Garagari, and Kalur More, reducing travel time. However, tensions escalated when locals discovered the ‘Sreeja More’ signboard installed without prior notice. Additionally, villagers have accused Laskar of constructing a boundary wall on nearby land without necessary approvals. Angered by these developments, residents removed the nameplate and reinstated the previous ‘Milon Mandir More’ sign at the location.

Eyewitnesses report that the protest saw participation from a large number of residents who demanded immediate action from local authorities. “We were never informed or consulted about the naming. This is unacceptable,” said a local resident on condition of anonymity. Protesters have urged district officials to intervene and take necessary steps to prevent political influence over public infrastructure.

When contacted, Kalyan Laskar declined to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, administrative sources indicate that discussions are underway to address the situation and ensure that proper procedures are followed for naming public infrastructure. The situation remains tense, with locals continuing to demand accountability from the Panchayat authorities.