Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Potholes, parking woes plague Kolkata's Diamond Harbour Road commuters
There is a busy road in Kolkata called Diamond Harbour Road, and it is in very bad shape.
The road is full of potholes, which are big holes in the surface, and many of them fill with water when it rains.
Cars and motorbikes have to slow down to go around the holes, so traffic gets jammed and people can be stuck for 30 to 40 minutes at busy times.
The sidewalks where people walk are broken too, with tiles, rubble and loose bricks scattered around.
Children, parents and teachers from nearby schools have to walk very close to moving cars because the pavement is not safe.
People also park their scooters, bicycles and cars on the sidewalks, leaving even less room for walkers.
Construction work for a new Metro line is making the mess even worse.
The road has been a problem for a long time, and in 2025 a court in Calcutta asked the government about the bad roads after people raised safety worries.
This year, the city traffic police again asked for the road to be fixed quickly.
The road needs proper repairs and better parking rules so that everyone can travel safely.
A 5km stretch of Diamond Harbour Road connecting Behala, Thakurpukur, Joka and Aamtala is blighted by water-logged potholes, broken pavements and haphazard parking.
Ongoing Purple Line Metro construction has added to the chaos on the commuter corridor.
Peak-hour delays on the Mominpur stretch can reach 30-40 minutes as vehicles slow down to navigate the potholes.
The corridor houses at least five schools, and broken pavements force schoolchildren, guardians and staff to walk close to passing vehicles.
In October 2025, the Calcutta High Court sought a status report on deteriorating roads after a PIL, and this July Kolkata Traffic Police again flagged the road for urgent pothole repairs.
- Who
- Commuters, schoolchildren, guardians and school staff along Diamond Harbour Road in Kolkata, with the Calcutta High Court and the Kolkata Traffic Police also involved.
- What
- A 5km stretch of Diamond Harbour Road is plagued by water-logged potholes, broken pavements, illegal parking and encroachment, worsened by Purple Line Metro construction.
- When
- The ordeal is ongoing; the Calcutta High Court sought a status report in October 2025 and Kolkata Traffic Police flagged urgent repairs this July.
- Where
- The Mominpur stretch of Diamond Harbour Road between Behala, Thakurpukur, Joka and Aamtala in Kolkata.
- Why
- Deteriorated roads, illegal parking and encroachment, combined with Metro construction, are creating severe congestion and safety hazards for pedestrians and vehicles.
- Location
- 5km stretch of Diamond Harbour Road connecting Behala, Thakurpukur, Joka and Aamtala
- Peak-hour delays
- 30-40 minutes
- Schools on corridor
- At least five, including Bidya Bharati, Loyola High School, St. Paul's Boarding & Day School, St. Teresa's Secondary School and St. Thomas' schools
- Affected landmarks
- Bidya Bharati School, Ordinance Depot, Loyola High School, Bellona Nursing Home and Shahani Begum Masjid
- Contributing factor
- Ongoing Purple Line Metro construction
- October 2025
- Calcutta High Court sought a status report from the then Trinamool state government after a PIL highlighted road safety issues
- This July
- Kolkata Traffic Police flagged the road for urgent pothole repairs
- Photo credit
- Soumyajit Dey