A permanent solution to waterlogging, check. Pothole-free roads, check. Controlling dengue, check.
Before the Kolkata Municipal Corporation polls, the manifestos of the ruling Trinamul and the challengers - the BJP, Left and the Congress - have offered solutions to many problems. But they are not as vocal on some other issues. The Telegraph takes stock:
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Drainage
Trinamul
- Consultation with experts to find sustainable and scientific solutions to waterlogging
- Zero blockage of drains through mechanised desilting; covering open drains
- Regular dredging of, and prevention of solid waste dumping into, the Adi Ganga canal
BJP
- Revamp of the British-era drainage system to prevent waterlogging
- Regular cleaning of the Hooghly and its tributaries
- Ban on dumping of garbage into the Adi Ganga
Left and Congress, fighting separately, have also promised “modernisation” of the drainage system to find a solution to waterlogging
Roads and bridges
Trinamul
- “White topping” (concrete or paver block cover) of major thoroughfares and “black topping” (bituminous cover) of all tertiary roads in phases over the next five years
- Construction of 50 escalator-enabled footbridges and subways at major intersections; promotion of carpooling and widening of roads in requisite areas
BJP
- Time-bound repair to ensure pothole-free roads
- Construction of overbridges and flyovers on congested roads; timely audit of overhead bridges to avoid accidents
Left
- Multi-level flyovers
- Kerb stones to be installed along the sides of the roads with width of up to 10ft to prevent encroachments
Congress
- Manifesto does not mention a separate plan for roads
Health
Trinamul
- More health centres to be set up. The capacity of all 144 urban primary health centres to be doubled
- Door-to-door vaccination to ensure 100 per cent coverage
- 30 dengue detection centres to be set up
BJP
- 200 para health chambers to be opened
- Fumigation to be mandatory before the monsoon to check dengue and malaria
- Door-to-door vaccination; action against fake vaccination camps
Left
- Specialised units to combat viral epidemics in at least 20 areas in the city
- Mental health care units in the boroughs
- Oxygen cylinder supply unit in each ward
Congress
- Manifesto does not have a separate plan for health care
Facilities for differently-abled
Trinamul
- Setting up of tactile paths, installation of ramps and Braille signage at public places
Left
- Ramp and Braille signage at all new constructions
- Schools run by the civic body to have special teachers
- All differently able citizens to be brought under health insurance
The BJP and Congress are silent on the issue
Gender neutrality
Left
- Gender-neutral public toilets
- Health insurance for third gender
The other three manifestos are silent on the issue
Some other promises
Trinamul
- Do away with open vats
- Upgrade of Jorabagan, Garia and Jai Hind water treatment plants; installation of 50 additional booster pumping stations
- Upgrade of markets with fire-safety arrangements
- Shelters for urban homeless
BJP
- A fleet of 108 ambulances
- Cleaning of Dhapa landfill in a time-bound manner and work towards an alternative solution for waste disposal
- One transport card for travelling on Metro, local trains, trams and buses
- New fire stations across Calcutta
- Doorstep collection of segregated waste
Left
- Night shelter in each borough for poor and working-class people
- Abuse-resistance teams at 100 places with helplines to combat against any form of discrimination — religious, caste or gender
- Zero charges for rickshaw, van and hawker licence
- Decentralised system to get rid of mutation touts
Congress
- Holistic development of slum areas
- Vocational training for youth without higher education
- Regulation of hawkers; mobile vending kiosks and trade licence for hawkers
- Special focus on improving the lives of women, children and senior citizens; a committee in each ward to combat trafficking and violence against women.
