Kolkata: No words on returning home, Bowbazar families continue life from hotel rooms

KOLKATA: Sandip Sau has been taking his ailing father for medical tests and check-up once every week.
Akansha Pandey has been taking private tuition every evening.
Jayanta Ghosh has been waking up early in the morning so that he can reach office on time.
The mundane chores are regular features at every household but a major difference for these families is that their current addresses are small rooms in various central Kolkata hotels, where they are trying to pick up the pieces after a subsidence of soil, caused by Metro work, rendered them homeless. The 150-odd residents left their homes on Durga Pithuri Lane around 14 days ago and have not heard anything from the authorities about returning to their houses.
The hotel rooms are too cramped for three-four members to share their space but they don’t have much alternative. Even while chores are being carried out, doctors drop by to check on the ailing and students try to concentrate on their studies. “There is hardly any room but I cannot miss my studies,” said Akansha, a Class-X student.

“My father is diabetic and he suffers from other ailments, too. We have to take him for tests and check-ups frequently. We are continuing with his treatment from the hotel room,” said Sau, who has left his home on Durga Pithuri Lane. “It is very difficult to lead a normal life in two cramped rooms but we do not have any other option.”
During the first few days after shifting out of their houses, which had developed cracks, most of the evacuated families kept going back to their houses, collecting their essential items and also, hoping to hear from the administration about when they can return home. “But how long can we wait? Life has to continue. My employer gave me leave for a week for the emergency but how long can I stay away from work? I resumed office last week. I get ready in the hotel room and leave for office. After returning in the evening I complete pending office work in the hotel room,” said Jayanta Ghosh, another displaced resident.
Most families have brought along their idols and the religious paraphernalia so that they can continue their pujas from their hotel rooms. “Divinity is the only hope in these times of uncertainty. I spend most of my time, praying in the hotel room,” said an elderly resident.