'Repair roads urgently': Kolkata Police writes to KMC

In the last nine months, around 75 lakh rupees have been spent from the public treasury to coat Kolkata’s roads with pitch, according to sources. However, the quality of this pitch coating has been so poor that it has washed away from several important roads in the city with just the slightest rain. Now, the Calcutta Police have written to the Mayor of Kolkata, urging quick repairs for the dilapidated roads.

Walking on some city streets feels like stepping into a hazardous zone. The pitch coating on pothole-riddled roads vanishes almost immediately, leaving behind dangerous conditions. During the rainy season, water accumulates in the potholes, increasing the risk for pedestrians. The same dire situation is reported in areas like Behala, Ballygunge, Bypass, and Bracebridge.

Pedestrians are questioning the efficacy of the 75 lakh rupees spent on road coatings, suspecting that the money has been wasted. The quality of materials used is under scrutiny, with concerns that low-quality pitch has been applied hurriedly despite the prohibition on Mastic Asphalt. According to data, 20 to 30 tons of pitch arrive in one lorry, and cars are rented at 7,500 to 8,000 rupees per ton.

Parthapratim Biswas, Professor of Construction and Engineering at Jadavpur University, emphasized the importance of construction material quality for Kolkata's roads. He pointed out that the temperature of the bituminous mixture used in patchwork is crucial, as improper temperatures can lead to rapid deterioration. Additionally, Kolkata’s high water table causes water to freeze quickly under the road, further damaging the surface.

Calcutta Mayor Firhad Hakim assured that they are always vigilant, with the DG constantly monitoring the situation. However, BJP councilor Sajal Ghosh criticized the use of inferior materials, attributing the poor condition of the roads to this issue. The Kolkata Police’s letter highlighted the increasing accidents due to these large potholes, making the municipal administration uncomfortable.