Improvement of Roads In & Around Calcutta-Scope of Modern Techniques

Recently Calcutta Metropolitan Development Authority has taken up an intensive programme of improving the existing roads within the limits of the Calcutta Metropolitan District. This includes widening, repairs and reconstruction of the important thoroughfares to ensure minimum riding comforts to the traffic. Provision of arbitrary specifications for such improvements may lead to collossal wastage of public exchequer. Therefore, proper design of reconstruction of each road on the basis of the strength of the existing pavement and of its components and of the evaluation of requirements for the present intensity of traffic with adequate improvements of both surface and subsoil drainage of water can not be dispensed with, even at the cost of expected criticism for slow progress, In this paper, the author has attempted to draw attention of the Engineers, directly or indirectly, interested in the development of the Metropolitan of Calcutta, for exchange of their learned views on the scientific approaches for the improvement of the existing roads in this area. The author has also touched upon some of his own suggestions in this respect, with a view to just opening the discussion.