Kolkata: The state govt has sanctioned Rs 23.4 crore for Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to construct concrete roads and set up box drains in 32 different localities in Rajarhat Gopalpur area under the civic body’s jurisdiction.The 32 localities where roads will be concretised are in pockets of Kestopur, Baguiati and Kaikhali areas in wards 7, 15, 22, 23, 26 and others. Earlier, 22 stretches had been identified in Salt Lake where the existing damaged bituminous asphalt layer is being replaced with concrete paver blocks to fix the long-standing problem of road damage.Civic officials said that the plan to have concrete roads is to solve long-term degradation of road surfaces caused by heavy rains and waterlogging. BMC has identified a total of 193 road stretches spread across Salt Lake and Rajarhat Gopalpur for repairs using different methods as per requirements.Officials said that emphasis is being given to using concrete blocks to increase the convenience and durability of roadwork. “Roads where damage occurs repeatedly have been identified. These stretches will be repaired with concrete paver blocks. Work has been taken up to complete road repair and renovation work before puja,” said an official.The initiative to construct concrete roads is coupled with the setting up of masonry box drains and covered structural canals to permanently curb waterlogging off major arterials in the localities off VIP Road.The state govt has also approved revised funding of Rs 4.3 crore for Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) for repairing the service road stretch with paver blocks along with the road median stretch from JK Saha junction on the eastern drainage canal side to Karunamoyee crossing in Salt Lake.Presently, BMC is scurrying to complete work of repairing the damaged road stretches across Salt Lake and Rajarhat Gopalpur, taking up work on multiple stretches at a go.
