Kolkata: Fresh craters and potholes appeared on several stretches on EM Bypass after the recent spell of rain. Earlier, the 3.5 km stretch between Ruby and Science City was in a bad shape and the big craters were filled up recently.The motorists and bikers have urged for a similar repair drive on other affected stretches on the 25 km-long EM Bypass. They have also sought repair of the other potholed arterial roads.The stretch between Kamalgazi and Dhalai Bridge is in tatters and govt buses like S-24 and AC-24 are forced to ply to and from Patuli .Some craters along both the Bypass flanks have widened due to the rainfall, compelling motorists to face jarring rides even after a repair and patchwork drive.Some patchworks on the Bypass were also damaged by the rain near Singhabari, Mukundapur, Ajoy Nagar and Patuli, leading to new craters and potholes.“The road surface between Ruby and Science City has become smooth compared with what it had been in the past. Once I cross the Avishikta crossing, my challenge of manoeuvring the craters and potholes of different sizes starts. A few cracks have also turned into potholes now and need urgent repair,” said Raktim Mondalof Patuli.The 2.7 km stretch between Dhalai Bridge and Kamalgazi has been riddled with craters for long, posing hurdles to the motorists, especially during night. Bus services towards Kamalgazi through the Dhalai Bridge are also getting affected because of the battered roads.“Now, we are plying the service between Howrah and Patuli at night due to the poor condition of the road between Dhalai Bridge and Kamalgazi. Commuters are facing problems because of the disrupted services at Patuli. But we are being forced to do so in a bid to avoid any accident,” said the conductor of a bus.Abhirup Basu, a Narendrapur resident, had to take a detour via Garia Main Road while driving his car to his office in Sector V. “The Kamalgazi-Dhalai Bridge stretch is convenient but filled with risks. I have to waste fuel and time for the detour. The battered stretch needs to be repaired immediately,” he said.
