Calcutta: A concrete walkway, where residents of several apartment blocks near the Avishikta crossing off EM Bypass take a walk every morning, is dotted with open manholes.

A drain running alongside the walkway also has covers missing in many places.

The concrete walkway and a beautified stretch next to it run in front of four housing complexes - Avishikta II, Greenwood Nook, Ruchira Residency and Avishikta I. There are 1,650 flats in these buildings.

The walkway was built a year and a half ago and the covers went missing around seven months ago. Residents have raised the issue with both the Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and the local councillor, but both have passed the buck to the other.

Residents fear an accident could happen any time. "So many residents walk on the stretch every morning. The open manholes, with just tree branches to alert walkers, pose a grave risk," said a resident of one of the apartment blocks.

"There are no lights on the walkway. Anyone can miss a step and fall into one of the open manholes," said Dushmanta Nag, 70, a resident of Avishikta I.

One of the two concrete staircases that connect the walkway to the Bypass does not have railings on either side. Drain covers are missing on both sides of the staircases.

Everyone from schoolchildren to office-goers use the staircases. "If someone slips, he or she will fall into the drain," said a resident.

The pavement along this stretch is broken with puddles in many places. Cable wires strewn around the pavement pose an added risk. Weeds have grown on many such stretches of the pavement.

Residents said they had approached Madhumita Chakraborty, the councillor of Ward 106, with their grievances. "She said it was the CMDA's responsibility," said a resident.

Chakraborty's phone was switched off when Metro tried to get in touch with her.

When Metro sent some pictures of the stretch to a senior CMDA engineer, he promised help. "We will install the manhole covers within a couple days," he said.

About the missing covers over the drain, he said: "If it's our responsibility, we will take prompt action. If not, we will alert the civic engineers."