Rabindra Sarani gets the nod from Kumartuli artisans

The renovation plan ran into rough weather with the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority KMDA, the body entrusted with rebuilding Kumartuli, failing to identify a suitable site for the temporary settlement of the artisans.

With plans of shifting to Ghalib Street, Cossipore, Strand Road, Nivedita Park, Gourimata Udyan and Kumartuli Park falling flat, the acceptance of the latest site by the artisans and other residents came as a welcome relief.

8220;We have been told that we will be shifted temporarily to a new site at Rabindra Sarani. We are satisfied. In the last five years there have been discussions regarding selection of various sites, but while some fell into legal hassles, the others we did not approve of,8221; said Mintu Pal, joint-secretary, Kumartuli Mritshilpi Samiti.

8220;Unlike the rest of the sites this place is near Kumartuli and the area is also quite big,8221; he added.

The KMDA had initiated the plan to renovate Kumartuli, which has around 400 workshops. The estimated Rs 32-crore project will have two-storey buildings with workshops and residences, an art gallery, godown for storing clay, guesthouse, improved sanitation and water supply facilities. The issue of temporary rehabilitation plan, however, put a spanner in the restoration work.

At present 541/B, Rabindra Sarani, has godowns of the state health department and public health engineering department, which are lying vacant and partially unused.

8220;We are surveying the buildings and the area of the site to chalk out how many artisans and households can be shifted. We are studying the possible infrastructure,8221; said Nababrata Acharya, surveyor, KMDA, Kumartuli project.

According to the KMDA, the make-shift site is equivalent to five acres of land that Kumartuli at present covers. 8220;We are hopeful that the temporary shifting will start from December-end. As soon as it is done, renovation work at Kumartuli will start,8221; Acharya said.

There is still an iota of scepticism among the artisans, however, as they are yet to receive the written copy of the proposal. 8220;In the past we have had meetings and discussions with the KMDA and other government officials, but all talks have been held verbally. We are ready to shift to Rabindra Sarani as it is a government property, but we still have not got any official document,8221; said Ranjit Sarkar, member, Kumartuli Mritshilpi Samiti.