Arup Roy demands immediate halt to road construction in Howrah, writes to KMDA

A major controversy has erupted over a road construction project in Howrah, as a state minister has raised strong objections to the plan. Arup Roy, the state minister and MLA from Central Howrah, has written a formal letter to the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) to halt the ongoing work immediately. The minister alleges that the new road, being built in the Panchanantala area, is being elevated by almost 10 inches, a move that he fears will cause severe problems for local residents and exacerbate existing waterlogging issues.

According to Minister Roy, the new road is being constructed at a height significantly above the old one. He claims that this design flaw will lead to major inconvenience for the community and worsen the area's perennial problem of water accumulation during the monsoon season. His concerns are rooted in the practical impact of the project on daily life for thousands of residents.

The minister's letter also highlights a serious procedural lapse on the part of the authorities. Arup Roy alleges that the decision to proceed with this new road construction was made by the Howrah Municipal Corporation and the KMDA without informing local public representatives like himself. He argues that it is a fundamental duty of these civic bodies to consult with elected representatives before initiating such large-scale projects, as they are best positioned to understand local needs and potential issues.

Roy stated that he was completely blindsided by the project. He emphasized that the lack of communication and consultation is unacceptable and demonstrates a disregard for democratic processes. He has appealed to the authorities to put an immediate stop to the work until the concerns of the local people are addressed and a more suitable plan can be devised in consultation with all stakeholders.

The controversy is not confined to just one location. Reports suggest that the Howrah Municipal Corporation has decided to elevate several other roads in a similar manner across the city. This revelation broadens the scope of the problem and suggests a pattern of planning that could lead to more widespread issues of waterlogging and inconvenience for citizens in the future.

The dispute has now put the Howrah Municipal Corporation and the KMDA on the spot. All eyes are on the authorities to see how they respond to the minister's letter. Their reaction will determine whether they choose to address the public's concerns and re-evaluate the project or proceed with the construction as planned, potentially leading to further conflict and public outcry.