8 years on,Kolkata American Center loses its barricades

As Delhi and Mumbai prepare for President Obama,the American Center building in the capital of communist-ruled Bengal has undergone visible change.

As Delhi and Mumbai prepare for President Obama,the American Center building in the capital of communist-ruled Bengal has undergone visible change. Over the past couple of days,large sections of the concrete barricades and sandbag bunkers that hid most of the building from view have disappeared.

The protective barricading came up after a terrorist incident in January 2002,when motorcycle-borne assassins of the Asif Reza Commando Force fired on security personnel outside the building,killing five police constables and injuring 16 others.

Consul General Beth A Payne said at an informal gathering on Monday evening that the Consulate is trying hard to have the remaining barricades removed in order to give the American Center a totally new appearance.

We are very keen to ensure unhindered passage to pedestrians passing along the stretch. Its been long that those barricades have been there. We want to give the people of Kolkata free access to the American Center, Payne said. The effort to open up the building is intended to coincide with the visit of the US President, she said.

Payne added that the American Center would be illuminated for Diwali,and that the Consulate is trying to telecast live Obamas speech to Indias Parliament.

The American Center houses the USIS library and the consulates public affairs wing. The Consulate is on

Ho Chi Minh Sarani. It continues to remain barricaded.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakraborty said,We have removed the bunkers and the barricades partly after a security review. From now onwards,pedestrians can move freely on the footpath. However,adequate security measures have been taken.