KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s beautification plan in
Kolkata doesn’t seem to have gone down well with a section of residents
in and around Prince Anwar Shah Road. The under-construction median
divider, running along the 5-km stretch from Tipu Sultan
Mosque to South City mall, has been demolished at places to facilitate
jaywalking. Officials of the KMC borough office, which is located just
around the corner, has preferred to keep their eyes closed all the
while.

With broken slabs lying scattered across the roads, iron
rods were found dangerously jutting out of the concrete structures at
various points near Navina cinema hall, Jogesh Chandra College and the
Tipu Sultan mosque. “If we want to cross the street for even a cup of
tea, we have to walk the whole stretch to Jogesh Chandra College
crossing. We had asked the construction people to leave a narrow space
in between the divider to facilitate our movement. But our suggestions
fell on deaf ears,” said Sushil Shah, a shop-keeper near Indrani Park.

Prince Anwar Shah Road is one of the busiest stretch and the fastest
connector to EM Bypass. The median divider is supposed to restrict any
violation by the two-way traffic and to stop the pedestrians from
crossing the busy roads. “It is not convenient to walk all the way to a
crossing to cross the street, so either you climb up the boulevard or
break it to create space,” said Sanjay Shaw, an employee at a nearby
medical shop.

The residents complain that the Kolkata Municipal
Corporation officials supervising the beautification project should have
thought about creating such spaces as there are major landmarks like
the Navina Cinema or Jogesh Chandra College on this stretch. “College
students face a lot of problems and people cannot cross the street
easily even if they have to go to the theatre. So, breaking it down is
the best option,” said Tapan Mondol, a sweet-shop owner near the
college. Mondol does not know who broke down the divider but is “happy”
that some people in the locality did have the courage to do something
like that.

“There is Tollygunge Girls’ School and Biswaspara
Masjid opposite Navina cinema hall. During Ramzan, we face a lot of
problems while we cross the street to go to the mosque. And the crevice
serves our purpose,” said Nazo Bewa, an elderly shopkeeper near Navina
cinema. Bewa informed that the divider was broken 10-15 days ago.”
Though, I have heard that it will be re-built again,” added Bewa.

A senior official of the KMC civil engineering department conceded that
local residents had demanded some space along the boulevard be kept
open for them to cross the road. “We are discussing the issue with the
Kolkata police officials. We will also talk to the local residents.
After that a decision in this regard would be taken,” the official said.

Others, particularly motorists, do not share Mondol or Bewa’s views on
the matter. “I was happy when I saw the median being constructed. Within
days, I saw portions being demolished. Women and children were trying to squeeze
through the exposed rods. Now, motorists will have to be extra cautious
while driving along the Anwar Shah Road. I don’t know why such illegal
acts are being allowed,” said noted plastic surgeon Shankar Chatterjee.

Also, the green cover on the dividers has already been reduced to dump
yards. The incomplete boulevard has been painted with betel-juice marks
all over the stretch.