Kolkata, 13 June (H.S.) -In a move to directly involve citizens in improving road infrastructure, the West Bengal government has launched a new initiative inviting the public to report damaged roads under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD). Citizens can now send photos of such roads via WhatsApp to the official mobile number 9088822111, with the assurance that action will be taken within 48 hours of receiving the complaint.

State PWD Minister announced that this effort aims to ensure swift and uniform response across urban and rural areas, including municipal and panchayat jurisdictions. He emphasized that the department is committed to acting promptly, regardless of the location.

Responding to a suggestion made in the state assembly a day earlier, the minister also informed that drop boxes will be placed within the assembly complex. These will allow MLAs to submit road-related grievances from their constituencies, which will also be addressed by the department with due seriousness.

A senior PWD official confirmed that the centralized complaint number has been launched to streamline grievance redressal across the state. The decision was made urgently after questions were raised in the assembly about the department’s effectiveness.

The initiative follows continued scrutiny of the PWD’s performance, despite the state government's ambitious Pathashree Scheme, launched by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure top-quality roads across West Bengal. The latest measure is seen as a step towards restoring public confidence and avoiding further criticism of the department’s operations.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh