Kolkata: NKDA bans skating on New Town streets, pavements

KOLKATA: The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) issued an order on Thursday, prohibiting skating on the streets and pavements across New Town by anybody at any time of the day in the "interest of public safety". The order also states that any contravention to this order will be dealt with in accordance with legal provisions.
"The decision not to allow skating on public roads has been taken to prevent any untoward accident on the streets. There are no reports of accidents occurring due to skating till date but we have been receiving some complaints from people that they were facing problems due to skating on the road," said a NKDA official.
Officials said there is a designated place for skating at the New Town clock tower ground and there will also be a provision for skating in the cycle velodrome, which will come up soon. The decision of prohibiting skating on roads, pavements in New Town has, however, generated mixed reactions.
"Many people practise skating on the roads in New Town. Generally, people do skating on roads which are free from traffic. It will be a loss for the sport if skating is prohibited on the road," said Joyjeet Mukherjee, father of a national medal winner roller skater.
Skaters said the New Town clock tower arena is a good place for skating but it's hardly 125-metre long whereas the minimum length for having a standard skating track is 200 metres. Namrata Bhatta, whose both sons are national level skaters, said that a stretch of road was required for doing road race skating practice. "We plan to talk with NKDA authorities on this matter," Bhatta said. "It would be good if the authorities allow skating on the roads in early morning," said Rekha Bahety, whose both daughters are national champions in roller skating from Bengal.
"Some regulation is needed to prevent accidents. Apart from clock tower arena, it would be good if NKDA authorities can arrange for other places where skating could be done," said Samaresh Das, chairperson of New Town News and Forum.
(With inputs from Mayukh Sengupta)