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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
The dividing bridge at the centre of Salt Lake violence
1 2 Kolkata: Salt Lake residents turned jittery after houses and gardens were vandalised on Wednesday, when a group of slum dwellers from the Kestopur Canal Road area hurled stones at police and targeted homes across the canal. The violence started moments after a 20-year-old app-based bike rider was killed when a private car rammed into his two-wheeler near the bridge connecting Salt Lake's AK Block with Kestopur Canal Road. While biker Soumen Mondal died, the pillion rider escaped with minor injuries. The new bridge seems to be the bone of contention. Vehicles speeding down the bridge and chaotic traffic management, long-standing socio-economic tensions and visible social divide—bungalow-style houses in Salt Lake on one side of the canal and rows of shanties on the other side in Kestopur—are being seen as possible triggers for the clash. People living on both sides of the canal seemed united in their anger at police and the social divide, albeit each group had their own point of view. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata "Ever since the bridge opened, large cars keep speeding past our homes, scaring our children. Earlier we could sit by the roadside. Now we can't even sleep peacefully at homes," said Sandhya Maji, who lives at Ghoshpara in Kestopur. Akash Mondal, who lives at Siddharthanagar in Kestopur, is apparently upset over being forced to come under police glare. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Before the bridge was built, the strip of road in Kestopur did not have a direct link to main roads and consequently, remained away from cop monitoring. "Earlier, people riding their bikes in the locality did not have to bother about rules. Now, police fine us for almost every other reason—be it riding without helmets or skipping a signal," he said. The bridge, opened in Oct 2022, has become a key link for vehicles to and from Salt Lake and Kestopur and Baguiati. Pratik Banerjee, a resident of Sarat Abasan in Salt Lake, said, "What happened on Wednesday was scary. We shut our doors and windows, fearing attack on our house." Banerjee, a retired govt official, claimed the bridge had opened the door to more criminal activity, with a majority of perpetrators entering Salt Lake from the Kestopur side. "Petty theft has gone up. Criminals now have an easy exit from the township. Even disputes among slum dwellers sometimes spill over into Salt Lake. Police should intensify patrolling to prevent vandalism," he said. Motorists claimed traffic management lapses at that spot could have contributed to Wednesday's accident. At the crossroad, there was no 'stop' line or zebra crossing. A traffic sergeant and two civic volunteers were usually deployed there and they struggled to regulate the rush of vehicles from the four sides. The CCTV footage released by police showed biker Mondal stopping just before the signal, when the private vehicle hit him. The vehicle dragged Mondal to the roadside railing before both the vehicles burst into flames, leading to Mondal's death. "Had there been a 'stop' line and the bike had halted behind it, the biker could be saved," said Babla Sarkar, a motorist who drove past the bridge on Thursday. Lokenath Debnath, a delivery executive, said faulty signals gave bikers entering Salt Lake the impression of a free left turn, bringing them onto the path of oncoming traffic. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
2 FIRs filed, vehicle driver held in Howrah
Kolkata: Two FIRs have been registered in connection with Wednesday's accident in Salt Lake, where a 20-year-old app-based bike rider, Soumen Mondal, was charred to death after a private vehicle rammed into his two-wheeler near the bridge linking Salt Lake's AK Block to Kestopur Canal Road. The car's driver, Vinod Yadav, fled but was arrested from Malipanchghara, Howrah. The crash sparked a protest by locals, who alleged police inaction as well as excesses and delay in the arrival of the fire brigade. The agitation escalated into violence, with protesters hurling stones at police, injuring several officers. Cops fired tear gas shells. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata One FIR, lodged by Mondal's uncle, accuses Yadav of reckless driving and causing death. The second, registered suo motu by police, targets those involved in vandalism and attacks on officers. No one is yet arrested in the second FIR. Mondal was carrying a passenger, who escaped with injuries. "The accident happened as the car driver was driving recklessly, knowing full well it could kill someone. Yet he continued, taking my nephew's life and injuring others," said Sanjay Adhikari, Mondal's uncle. Bidhannagar City Police are scanning CCTV footage to identify those who attacked cops and damaged property. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Indian Express
Kolkata's Alipore Zoo to offer open-air butterfly garden
(Written by Adrija Datta) Strolling through an open-air butterfly garden offers a peaceful and enriching experience, where visitors can observe butterflies fluttering freely among flowers and greenery. It fosters a closer connection with nature, while offering insights into the role of these pollinators in the ecosystem. To bring this experience to the public, the West Bengal Zoo Authority plans to develop an open-air butterfly garden within the Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata. 'The open-air butterfly garden will be constructed next to the zoo library. Through this garden, we aim to promote eco-friendly tourism and raise awareness about butterfly conservation and biodiversity,' said Soumen Mondal, Assistant Director of Alipore Zoological Garden. Unlike enclosed butterfly houses or conservatories, the garden will be open to natural elements, allowing butterflies to move freely in and out. The project will focus on creating a sustainable, butterfly-friendly habitat. Extensive landscaping will replicate ideal conditions for butterfly breeding and feeding. Native host plants—essential for caterpillar nourishment and egg-laying—will be cultivated. Since different butterfly species rely on specific host plants, a diverse selection will help maintain population diversity and stability. To support adult butterflies, nectar-rich flowering plants such as lantana, zinnias, pentas, and butterfly bush (Buddleja) will be planted. These species are well-suited to the local climate and are known to attract native butterflies, encouraging regular activity throughout the year. With an estimated construction cost of Rs 4,95,937, the butterfly garden will be a significant addition to Alipore Zoo's eco-tourism offerings. (The writer is an intern with The Indian Express.)
