The ongoing expansion of the Kalyani Expressway promises to significantly improve travel between Kolkata Airport and Kalyani, reducing the current two-hour journey to just 45 minutes. This ambitious infrastructure project aims to enhance daily commutes and freight transportation, providing a smoother experience for travelers. However, concerns have arisen regarding environmental and drainage issues linked to the construction work. A major issue is the potential for increased waterlogging in industrial areas like Barasat, particularly during the monsoon season. To address these challenges, a high-level meeting was held at the Platinum Jubilee Memorial Hall of the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

The meeting brought together key ministers, including Firhad Hakim (Minister of Urban Development), Pulak Roy (Public Works Minister), and Sujit Bose (Fire Services Minister), alongside local MLAs and administrative officials. The discussions primarily focused on improving drainage infrastructure to prevent water stagnation. Plans include dredging nearby water bodies to increase their capacity, upgrading municipal drainage systems, and installing motor pumps for faster water removal. With the project scheduled for completion by 2025, it seeks to balance development with environmental sustainability while ensuring minimal disruption to residents. Solving waterlogging issues has become a priority not only for public welfare but also ahead of upcoming elections, as unresolved problems could impact voter sentiment.