Kolkata, Aug. 31 -- A month-long water crisis in north Kolkata's predominantly minority Jyotinagar Colony has put the BJP and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) under scrutiny, with the CPI(M) arranging water tankers and Congress state president Subhankar Sarkar visiting the colony on Monday.
Around 5000 residents of KMC Ward 6, under the Cossipore-Belgachia Assembly Constituency, allege that water and street-light connections were disconnected towards the end of last month. They have linked the crisis to remarks allegedly made by the BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari that he would not work for minorities who had not voted for him.
The shortage has forced families to walk to neighbouring areas with buckets and collect rainwater. Residents said some children and adults were also bathing in the Ganga despite not knowing how to swim.
The CPI(M), along with the Pashchimbanga Basti Unnayan Samiti, has been arranging water tankers every three to four days. Local branch secretary Alamgir Biswas said the party pays Rs 700 per tanker, but one tanker is inadequate for 5,000 people.
Police have been informed and a deputation submitted to KMC, he said.
Meanwhile, Sarkar visited around 1.30 pm on Monday with a Congress delegation. In a Facebook post, he said residents, including women carrying children, voiced their anger against the administration.
Residents also said the absence of street lights had made the riverside road, used by trucks and other heavy vehicles, dangerous.
KMC said it had received no complaint and was unaware of the situation. A civic official said it would inquire and take appropriate action if the allegations were found true.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.