West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul has announced plans to use vacant spaces beneath flyovers in Kolkata and other cities for beautification and small recreational facilities, including areas for table tennis, carrom and chess. The proposed work would be funded through corporate social responsibility contributions rather than public money, according to the minister.
Paul said the wider plan was to make better use of broad, unused areas below bridges and flyovers. She said netting could be installed to create enclosed spaces for recreation, while clarifying that the facilities would not be intended for cricket. The proposal is aimed at allowing children and adults to use the spaces, including after office hours.
“Cities have many plans for beautification. But there is fear in doing new things because there will be an outcry,” Paul said, according to Sangbad Pratidin. She added that the space beneath flyovers could be developed as play areas.
The minister cited the space beneath the Gariahat flyover, where people play chess, as an example of how areas under elevated road infrastructure are already being used informally. The new proposal would seek to organise similar activities in selected locations, with facilities such as table tennis and carrom.
Paul said business chambers had been approached to support the work through their CSR funds. She also said that the painting of roads and other city beautification work had not been financed from taxpayers’ money, but by organisations using CSR allocations. Opposition parties had questioned spending related to road painting, while the minister maintained that public funds were not used for that work.
The proposal comes amid debate over recently painted roads and the safety of road surfaces. Speaking about the Chingrighata flyover and a motorcycle accident, Paul said the paints used were anti-skid. She said it could not be assumed that the paint had caused the bike to skid, adding that the government had taken action in connection with the accident.
The announcement leaves several implementation details open, including the locations to be selected, the agencies responsible for maintenance, the design standards for the enclosed spaces and the arrangements needed to keep them safe and accessible. The minister’s immediate indication was that business chambers would be involved in developing the proposed facilities through CSR funding.
