Traffic indiscipline is at its peak in the township. A case in point in the stretch from the City Centre-Kalyan Jewellers Island to Tank 3 Island. Every vehicle that needs to enter BD Block to the right cuts through the road dangerously to do so. It’s the same for cars coming from the opposite side that need to enter BC Block.
The other day I caught a young driver doing this and challenged him. He got out of his car to argue that he was justified as everyone was doing the same thing!
But then, it’s not just foolhardy youths breaking the law. Six-car convoys of former minister Jyotipriyo Mullick would do the same. Police cars do the same.
I go for tea to my friend’s house — his balcony overlooks this street — and my blood pressure shoots up seeing so many near-accidents.
Once I asked the civic policemen at the City Centre Island why they turn a blind eye to autos and two-wheelers breaking traffic signals. One of them shot back: “Should we jump at them and commit suicide?” Another one said any action against these vehicles would elicit instant reaction from “above”, as they all have blessings of political bigwigs.
I feel sorry for the future of our country.
Kajal Chanda, BC Block
Littered lanes
lAs a resident of Salt Lake, I would like to share some observations with the authorities. It’s good to have fairs for books and art but not at the cost of general cleanliness of our streets and parks, which has deteriorated drastically.
There are narrow alleys in the middle of every block, which connect the two ends of blocks. These are used by pedestrians and cyclists to cut short their distance. But it appears that it is nobody's responsibility to clean these. To make the matter worse, some residents conveniently dump their rubbish in these.
There is also a huge garbage dump on the main road near Tank 8 Island so much so that the footpath cannot be used because of it.
My request is to earmark a cleaner to tend to these alleys once a week. Alternatively, block committees could take the responsibility to clean them or be penalised.
I also want to draw attention to the state of our roads. I am not sure if our councillors stay in Salt Lake but if they do, they are privy to their pathetic condition. It appears either they are sleeping or busy elsewhere.
Subhas Sengupta, BL Block