KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday expressed intense dissatisfaction with the municipal services in Howrah and Bally.
“Someone is taking money for all this. They are surely taking bribes. I am sorry, but I have to say this. A group has been formed, and I have to speak out,” said Banerjee, referring to rampant encroachments of land and illegal constructions in Howrah and Bally.
Numerous plots in Howrah and Bally municipal areas were being illegally occupied and high-rises were being built along narrow roads without following regulations, leaving no space for ambulances or fire trucks, said Banerjee during her meeting.
Blaming Rathin Chakraborty, former mayor of Howrah (referred to as the chairman) and current BJP leader, for the poor civic amenities, Banerjee said Rathin had left Howrah in total mess, with rampant illegal constructions. Despite the presence of an online system for building permissions, residents faced harassment from Howrah Municipal Corporation officials, with corruption and bribery prevalent, she said.
The chief minister slammed the poor performance of the conservancy department, pointing out that complaints poured in from Howrah residents about stinking, heaps of garbage near Howrah Maidan Metro station on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, apart from waste pile-up near Howrah Hospital. “Garbage is not being cleaned. I am telling the person in charge… Amrita Roy Barman, SDO,” she said. There were complaints about garbage being dumped on roads in areas, such as Kalibabur Bazar, Kadamtala Bazar, Shibpur Road and Andul Road, Banerjee said. The same situation prevailed in Balitikuri on Howrah Amta Road, the CM said,
Residents pointed out that the absence of a civic election since 2018 and that of an elected municipal board in Howrah and Bally added to the growing anarchy. They said leaks in water pipes were frequent and contaminated water from Padmapukur Water Works had spread jaundice.
“In some places, lights are on continuously. Will the state pay for all this? In some places, water keeps dripping from taps. HMC’s administrator Sujay Chakraborty is keeping all responsibilities to himself. He is not talking with anyone,” Banerjee said. Sujoy and minister Arup Roy declined to comment. Rathin claimed the CM was victimizing him for political reasons and questioned why she was not holding polls in Howrah and Bally. Former BJP president of Howrah Ambuj Sharma said there had been no elected municipal board in Howrah and Bally for six years. Banerjee also questioned why Howrah should oversee Bally even after the latter becoming a municipality.
