The Salt Lake Civic Wish List 2026 reflects the growing concerns of residents in Kolkata’s planned township. From broken roads near Tank 13 to cable clutter, flooding, and indiscriminate parking, citizens have voiced their priorities for the new year. Their demands highlight the need for better urban governance, sustainable infrastructure, and community‑centric planning.
2. Key Resident Demands
🚫 Ban on Pigeon Feeding
- Residents flagged health hazards from pigeon droppings and feathers.
- Dried droppings can turn into dust, lodge in lungs, and even prove fatal.
- Ornithologists are being urged to design humane population control measures.
🚦 Traffic Safety
- Non‑motorised vehicles like cycles and rickshaws often flout traffic rules.
- Violations include jumping red lights and driving on the wrong side.
- Residents demand stricter enforcement despite lack of licence plates on these vehicles.
🛣️ Broken Roads near Tank 13
- The stretch around Tank 13 has been in disrepair for two years.
- Heavy traffic from IA Market, stadium visitors, and garbage trucks worsens the situation.
- Accidents have been reported due to potholes and parked cars outside shops.
🔌 Cable Clutter
- Hanging cables across skylines pose risks to pedestrians and bikers.
- Some accidents have been fatal, with cables wound around lamp posts and trees.
- Residents want redundant cables removed and existing ones shifted underground, as in New Town.
🧱 Footpath Height
- Excessively high kerbstones make pavements inaccessible for elderly and children.
- Pedestrians often avoid footpaths, walking on roads instead, increasing accident risks.
💡 Street Lighting
- Long, sparsely populated roads in Action Area III lack adequate lighting.
- Residents demand better illumination and visible police presence for night‑time safety.
🚲 Cycling Lanes
- Calls for shaded footpaths and regulated crossings along Salt Lake Bypass and Sector V Ring Road.
- Cycling lanes near IT hubs would encourage eco‑friendly commuting.
🌧️ Water‑Logging
- Monsoon flooding remains a major issue in Sector V, Chinar Park, and Ultadanga.
- Residents want drainage upgrades to prevent seasonal chaos.
🚗 Parking Space
- Indiscriminate car parking blocks gates and encroaches on footpaths.
- Authorities identified fee‑parking zones in August 2025 but failed to act.
- Residents demand designated parking to reduce congestion.
3. Salt Lake Civic Wish List 2026: Governance Challenges
The Salt Lake wish list reflects:
- Weak enforcement of traffic and civic rules.
- Delayed infrastructure repairs despite repeated complaints.
- Lack of coordination between municipal bodies and police.
- Public frustration over promises without follow‑through.
4. Government External Links for Assistance
- Government of West Bengal: https://wb.gov.in
- Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation: https://bidhannagarmunicipalcorporation.org
- Kolkata Police: https://kolkatapolice.gov.in
- Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs: https://mohua.gov.in
5. Historical Context of Salt Lake Township
- Developed in the 1960s–70s as Kolkata’s first planned satellite township.
- Initially designed with wide roads, parks, and residential blocks.
- Over time, rapid urbanisation and IT hub expansion in Sector V strained infrastructure.
- Today, Salt Lake faces challenges similar to older parts of Kolkata.
6. Community Impact
- Families worry about safety due to poor lighting and broken roads.
- Elderly residents struggle with high footpaths and flooding.
- Businesses suffer from traffic chaos and parking shortages.
- The wish list reflects collective frustration and hope for change.
7. Global Comparisons
Similar urban issues worldwide:
- London: Cable clutter replaced with underground wiring.
- Singapore: Strict traffic enforcement for non‑motorised vehicles.
- Tokyo: Pedestrian‑friendly pavements with rationalised kerbstones.
- New York: Fee‑parking zones reduce congestion in residential areas.
Salt Lake’s problems mirror these global challenges, showing the need for international best practices in urban governance.
8. Governance Lessons
The Salt Lake wish list teaches:
- Community consultation is vital for prioritising civic projects.
- Transparent timelines for repairs build public trust.
- Integrated planning between police, municipal bodies, and residents ensures smoother implementation.
- Sustainability focus (cycling lanes, underground cables) future‑proofs urban living.
9. Future Outlook – Urban Bengal
India must move towards:
- Smart traffic systems to monitor violations.
- Eco‑friendly drainage upgrades to tackle flooding.
- Universal design pavements accessible to all age groups.
- Digitised parking management with mobile apps for residents.
10. Conclusion
The Salt Lake civic wish list 2026 is more than a set of complaints—it is a roadmap for better urban living. From safer roads to cleaner skylines, residents have articulated clear priorities. For Bengal, the lesson is simple: urban governance must evolve to match the aspirations of its citizens, ensuring that planned townships remain liveable, safe, and sustainable.
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