Problems at the block level can now be shared with the police without having to make it to the local police station or even making a call. A representative of the thana has been virtually connected to representatives of every block through the popular smartphone messaging app called WhatsApp and thus can be intimated by a text message.
The decision was taken at a meeting recently convened by the top brass of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate where representatives of all the blocks of Salt Lake were invited.
“We are forming WhatsApp groups sector wise and blockwise depending on the population. A sub-inspector of the local thana will be in charge of each such group,” police commissioner Laxmi Narayan Meena told The Telegraph Salt Lake at the end of the meeting.
At the time of this report going to press, many block functionaries confirmed that such groups had indeed been created.
On the police chief’s invitation, the two-hour meeting also had block representatives taking the mic to inform the police top brass about problems in their area. “I am new here. I want to hear your problems directly from you so we can address them,” the commissioner said at the start of the meeting.
Gopal Dutta, secretary of AB Block, complained about purported illegal activities taking place in a guesthouse in the block. “Police had come during last Puja and caught someone. But now the vigil is lax and the cars are back. We suspect gambling takes place inside,” he said. People also drink in the block park at night. “They might be outsiders as the footbridge across the canal connects the area to Dakshindari.”
Police commissioner Laxmi Narayan Meena at the meeting with residents. Picture by Mayukh Sengupta
The state of the road leading from Baisakhi Island to Kestopur canal. Picture by Debasmita Bhattacharya
A couple in the park in AG Block. Residents complained about objectionable activities in the park. Picture by Debasmita Bhattacharya
Representatives of both Baisakhi Abasan Samiti and AG Block complained about objectionable behaviour of people in the lane next to the park. “Those living in apartments facing the park cannot open their windows to avoid such sights. Police sometimes scold the boys and girls but soon they are back to their antics,” said Sukhendu Khamaru, secretary of the Samiti.
Their other grouse was the state of the road from Baisakhi footbridge to Baisakhi Island along which a water supply pipeline has been laid. “Work on the pipeline has been continuing over the past five-six months. Though the pipe has been laid, the road has not been repaired. The surface is uneven on both sides with the metal top intact only on a thin strip in the middle which is not wide enough for a vehicle to pass over. Construction materials are dumped at the sides making the carriageway even narrower. There is no space on the narrow pavements to walk. At night when the cars travel faster, it becomes a terrible risk for pedestrians. The showers are making matters even worse,” said Pranab Dutta of AG Block. Their community hall, called Anandadhara which is the block’s puja venue, is on this stretch. “Who will come to our puja if the road is not repaired by September?” he lamented.
Khamaru pointed to the constant squabbles that result between rickshaw-pullers, car drivers and pedestrians, all being forced to use the same lane. “The traffic system is faulty too. Even those from houses right next to the main road, near the Baisakhi bus stand, have to drive all the way to the Keshtopur canal and come back to enter the complex.”
Ajit Dutta of DA Block called for increased patrolling of the Green Verge.
Moulinath Majhi, secretary of EC Block, raised the problem of visitors to City Centre and a nearby cafe parking their cars in the lanes of the block, often obstructing the driveway of residents. Police officials asked him to submit a list of the houses facing the problem.
He also expressed unhappiness with the conduct of some of the paying guests housed in six buildings in the block.
Swadesh Dey, board member of Karunamoyee Housing Association, Phase 1, suggested that the auto stand at the complex’s gate no. 2 be removed to the opposite side of the road, in the service lane adjacent to 22 Yards School of Cricket. “They block too much of the road where they are,” he said. He also expressed dissatisfaction with public display of affection by couples in the park inside the housing complex by “outsiders”.