Kolkata Mayor Addresses Illegal Construction Concerns During Press Conference

While attending a press conference to protest illegal construction and the failure of the authorities to stop it, Calcutta's mayor Firhad Hakim called former Supreme Court judge Ashok Kumar Ganguly on his cell phone to inform him that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) was taking action to address the threat.

As Ganguly, one of the speakers at the Press Club Kolkata press conference, was wrapping up his criticism of the KMC and the state government for the proliferation of illegal constructions, he received a call.

The former judge called the caller "tumi," a phrase indicating familiarity, and had a lengthy conversation with him while he was seated on the dais.

He informed everyone who had called before hanging up. A fervent reporter inquired, "Were you threatened?"

"No," the court ruled.

Ganguly recounted his phone call, saying, "The mayor said the KMC is taking steps to address the menace of unauthorised construction."

But that is insufficient. "It's in every neighborhood now, Ekhon eta paraye paraye," he informed the mayor.

According to the ex-judge, the mayor brought up the threat of unauthorized building, which dates back to the Left era.

12 years ago, the Left administration came to an end. Why did you not blow the buildings to pieces? Is stating these kinds of things really necessary? Over the phone, someone heard him say.

On March 17, a structure that was still under construction in Garden Reach collapsed, leaving 12 people dead.

"This structure, which claimed the lives of twelve individuals, was still under construction. Talking on the phone, Ganguly said, "Your men are supposed to see to it."

Subsequently, he informed Metro that the threat did not exist only in Garden Reach.

There is a park in front of my home in my neighborhood. Such a structure is located just behind the park. Part of it was destroyed. It was fixed and two storeys were added a month later, he said.

Ganguly resides at Kidderpore's Kabitirtha Park, which is located in KMC Ward 76. He also mentioned a six-story structure in a little alley. Sasthi Das is the ward councillor.

Hakim reportedly asked him why he hadn't told the mayor or the council member, according to Ganguly. "How can I get in touch with you? Ganguly said, "You ask Sasthi what he was doing." "Shob jaygaye hochhey (Everywhere it's happening)."

Subsequently, Das informed Metro that he lacked the authority to determine whether a building project was authorized.

"There isn't a six-story building there, but I'm not aware of the structure that has been discussed. There was a four-story skyscraper that was supposedly being constructed without permission. I've let the borough's executive engineer know about it," Das said.

"I'll research the specifics and respond,"

Ganguly also mentioned Shams Iqbal, the councilman whose district the fallen building was located.

"I questioned the mayor about how your councilman, Iqbal, could own a vehicle valued at Rs. 5–6 crore. Ganguly stated, "The mayor said it was the council member's father's money. When asked what he believed to be the motivation for Hakim's call at a press conference, Ganguly said that the mayor could have wanted to know why the speaker was objecting to unapproved building.

However, he talked in a kind manner and made no threats. Everyone was taken aback by that because it was so unexpected, Ganguly further said.

Ganguly also questioned Hakim over the phone on why the state government is compensating the relatives of the wounded and dead from the Garden Reach building disaster.

The legal concept known as "polluters pay" Why should public funds be used to fund the state government? Those that pollute ought to pay. Unauthorized building pollutes the area and puts more pressure on the drainage and sewage systems even if it doesn't collapse. "The city has a plan, Shaharer toh ekta plan achhey."