Opposition slams KMC for poor disaster management

Kolkata: Trinamul Congress-ruled Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) came under attack of the opposition councillors for its poor disaster management in wake of the havoc Norwester which uprooted trees at many places.

Left councillor Debashish Mukherjee alleged, “In my ward three trees were uprooted. One of them is lying in a dangerous condition for which power-supply has been disconnected. Despite informing the top level, they failed to send any vehicle to remove the trees and its branches.”

He claimed, “They said only vehicle is allotted for each borough. I requested to hire vehicles from private agencies because power-supply and water supply have been suspended for a long time. Vehicles can not move on the roads. But no one paid heed.”

Another Left councillor Chayan Bhattacharya alleged, “The KMC does not have the infrastructure for disaster management. Its skeleton has been exposed again. The roads are yet to be clear as the trees and its branches have been lying there.”

BJP councillor, Tista Das Biswas, complained, “There has been no solution in my ward till now since Tuesday night. Electric poles were uprooted at many places. We called the CESC to disconnect the power supply. But the uprooted trees are yet to be removed. I did not get any vehicle or manpower to cut the root and branches and clean the road.”

KMC mayor Mr Chatterjee however claimed, “If trees are lying on the road, it will be removed within an hour of informing us. But I do not have any such information. Those who complained can not find that the uprooted trees have been removed.”

Passing the buck to the erstwhile Left-ruled civic body, member, mayor-in-council (Parks & Gardens) Debasish Kumar said, “In past seven years we did not plant Krishnachura and Radhachura trees because of its weak roots and tall height.”