29/08/2025
Why is a 3.5 km Road Still Unfinished Despite ₹4.7 Crore Budget? – “A big question is being raised”
Description:
A major road construction project in Alipurduar district’s Kalchini block, under Jaigaon Gram Panchayat-1, has raised serious questions. The road stretches from Bhulan Turning through Khokla Himali Toll village, Deorali forest, and SSB camp up to the banks of the Barsa River, connecting to Central Dooars across the river.
Two projects were sanctioned by the state:
NBDD’s Paver Block Road Project worth ₹2.85 crore.
PMGSY (under WBSRD) for a concrete road worth ₹1.90 crore.
Together, the budget was ₹4.7 crore – enough to build a strong 3 to 3.5 km road. Yet, the road remains incomplete and of poor quality.
Key issues highlighted:
At Bhulan Turning, a small river floods during monsoon, but no bridge/culvert has been built.
In Khokla Himali Toll, lack of drainage causes waterlogging and floods in homes.
Over the Gobar Jiti River, instead of a permanent bridge, a temporary embankment (“Kasba”) was built, costing ₹30–40 lakhs, which washed away in rains. Locals themselves built a functional bridge with just ₹2.5 lakhs.
PMGSY’s concrete road was changed to paver blocks at villagers’ demand, but construction was full of irregularities – poor-quality guard walls, reduced road width, undersized blocks, and blocks laid without proper gravel or sand base.
Due to these flaws, Central Dooars villagers stopped the work and filed complaints with district authorities. ADM, NBDD, and WBSRD officials inspected the site and assured improvements. Villagers allowed work to resume only after conditions: better guard walls, wider roads, and proper block-laying with gravel and sand.
However, the large and durable paver blocks (used at Bhulan Turning) are not being laid here, raising fresh concerns.
The question remains: Can’t a 3.5 km road, with drainage and bridges, be built properly even with ₹4.7 crore funding?
Ground reality shows less work and more corruption, with funds filling the pockets of leaders, contractors, and officials instead of serving the people.
This report must be shared widely so that the message reaches Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and ensures proper quality road construction in the region.
