KOLKATA: Scrap and construction materials have encroached on portions of pavements in different parts of the city, like Alipore, Syed Amir Ali Avenue, Southern Avenue and CR Avenue.
According to rules, no one is allowed to store construction materials on pavements and carriageways. The KMC solid waste management department can seize the materials if they are not removed by the builders. “I have been receiving complaints from residents who allege that a section of promoters is encroaching on the pavements by dumping construction materials. In such cases, we give a 24-hour deadline for the promoter to remove the materials, failing which, we seize the materials and transport it to Dhapa dumping ground,” said mayor Firhad Hakim.
On Saturday, Hakim had pointed out that pavements in areas like Chittaranjan Avenue, Syed Amir Ali Avenue, Alipore Road or Southern Avenue had been taken over by scrap-dealers. He had asked KMC officials to shift them to the nearest night shelters where they would be provided with food and other amenities.
TOI visited the areas mentioned by Hakim and spotted scrap material dumped on the pavements along with construction materials. These also blocked carriageways in some areas.
The pavement near Hastings House in Alipore was blocked by plastic and other scraps. Mohan Sarkar, who goes there for work, said, “During peak hours, we pedestrians have to walk on the road.”
Construction materials spill over on the Raja Santosh Road carriageway. “We have been demanding that the pavement be cleared of the bricks but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” said Sona Raj Shau, a local.
Pavement-dwellers near Ballygunge Phanri have stored scrap materials there. “We want the pavement free,” said Tarique Hossain, a local. On Ganesh Chandra Avenue, pavement-dweller Md Sunil said, “I have been keeping the materials here to sell to recyclers.”
