The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
May 2016 back issue
by Indranil Banerjee
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
Busy street corners, Blaring vehicle horns, homeless people sleeping on the footpaths, traffic jams, school children of a
nearby girls’ school crossing the road. It was just like any other day in the city. The area of Kolkata known as Ganesh
Talkies is one of the most important parts of the city and is close to heart of every Kolkatan. A large number of people
se the crossing at Vivekananda Road and Rabindra Sarani for their daily journey to school or work. It is one of the
busiest crossings in North Kolkata.
In an attempt to ease congestion in the area, the construction of a flyover had begun in 2009. It was due to be opened
in 2016 and the daily commuters were eagerly awaiting its inauguration.
On 31st of March, 2016 at 12:15 p.m, life in the metropolitan was interrupted. The people who were waiting for the
traffic signal under the bridge or the fruit sellers or the pull car drivers never dreamt of such a nightmare. It was the
most catastrophic disaster Kolkata has faced in recent times. The flyover collapsed claiming many lives. The sky fell
down on the City of Joy.
People were stuck under concrete slabs and huge steel girders. Limbs and bodies were torn apart. The dead bodies
and the survivors were rushed to Kolkata’s Medical College, R.G Kar and the nearby Marwari Relief Society. Local
people took time to realize the enormity of the accident and due to a lack of experience, the rescue operation was slow.
The collapsed flyover claimed 28 lives and left many shattered dreams. People have responded with candle light,
protest marches and blood donation. All we can do is to pray for the people killed in this tragedy. May their souls rest in
peace.
