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West Bengal Launches Assembly Drop Box and WhatsApp Helpline to Expedite Pothole Repairs

The Public Works Department has vowed a 48-hour turnaround on submitted pothole reports as part of a ₹1,900 crore road improvement drive.

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Overview

  • On June 11, Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee ordered a drop box in the House for MLAs to submit constituency road complaints following widespread monsoon-season concerns
  • PWD Minister Pulak Roy unveiled a dedicated WhatsApp number (9088822111) on June 12 for citizens and legislators to share pothole images with a guaranteed 48-hour response
  • Lawmakers from both the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Opposition raised grievances over waterlogged and cratered urban roads that went unaddressed during post-pandemic fiscal restraints
  • The state has earmarked ₹1,900 crore for repairs and construction of state highways and urban roads, though field work has not yet commenced
  • Since 2011, the PWD has upgraded 32,900 km of roads and built 305 bridges, but most damage remains concentrated in urban areas neglected after 2020 austerity measures