The two-kilometre stretch of Howrah-Amta Road, from Makardah to Fokor Dokan that was plunged in darkness after dusk, has been illuminated by trident lights. In a function near Domjur Panchayat Samity on April 11, state irrigation and waterways minister Rajib Banerjee formally inaugurated this beautification drive initiated by Domjur Panchayat Samity. Among others, MLA from Jagatballavpur Kasem Mollah, Domjur Panchayat Samity sabhadhipati Barnali Ghosh, Howrah Zilla Parishad saha-sabhadhipati Ajay Bhattacharya and BDO Tamagna Kar were present on the occasion. 

“The Domjur Panchayat Samity has implemented this beautification programme from its own funds. It is good. The way the panchayat samity is taking up development programmes, it will soon become number one in the state,” said Banerjee while inaugurating the programme. He said that it was the policy of the state government to fulfil the expectations of the people through the three-tier panchayat system. 

“The Howrah-Amta Road is an important link road between National Highway 6 and the rural areas of Howrah. A considerable portion of the road goes through thickly populated areas. So it is necessary to illuminate the road for the safety of the people,” he said.

Hundreds of buses, trucks and cars ply along this route and ferry passengers to Bargachhia, Niz Balia, Munsirhaat Haat, Jagatballavpur and other areas of rural Howrah. Barnali Ghosh, sabhadhipati, said, “We shall start the second phase of illumination of roads as soon as we can arrange funds. In the second phase, we shall illuminate the stretch from Japani Gate to Salap and from Salap to Makardah.” She said that even the lanes and by-lanes of the panchayat area would be lit up. 

A part of the stretch from Makardah to Fokor Dokan is thickly populated where thousands of people live, while in another part this stretch is lonely with paddy fields and barren lands. Local people said that it was difficult for them to walk along this stretch after dusk. “Snatchers, particularly bike snatchers, were active in the stretch between Makardah and Fokor Dokan. They used to snatch under the cover of darkness. Now that the stretch has been illuminated they will not be able to do so,” said Bablu Mandol, saha-sabhadhipati, Domjur Panchayat Samity. He said that accidents often took place in the darkness.