Kolkata expands road smoothening project with new machinery

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is working to improve bumpy roads in the city. The road smoothening project, which started three years ago, is being expanded. Recently, the KMC began fixing undulating sections on the EM Bypass. In 2024, 30 kilometers of roads were smoothed out, including parts of Bhupen Bose Road and Beliaghata Main Road. The latest plans cover major roads such as Rashbehari Avenue, Gariahat Road, and Vivekananda Road. To speed up the work, KMC plans to buy five new road milling machines. Officials believe the current four machines are insufficient for the project’s size. The KMC initially aimed to complete the project by 2023, but the deadline has been pushed back. Some roads, like SN Banerjee Road and APC Roy Road, have already been repaved. The project was launched in response to complaints from drivers and riders about rough roads. Officials noted that frequent road digging and quick repairs often lead to these issues. They acknowledged that uneven surfaces can cause accidents, especially at night. However, they face challenges, such as the need to wait for other utility work to finish before starting repairs on certain roads.