The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will set up a drainage pumping station at Thanthania, off Amherst Street in central Kolkata, to solve the decades-old waterlogging problem in large parts of north and central Kolkata.
Along with Thanthania, the proposed drainage pumping station will benefit localities around parts of Bidhan Sarani, CR Avenue, Amherst Street, College Street, Madan Mohan Burman Street, Colootala and Keshab Chandra Street, KMC officials said.
Pockets along these roads are among the most waterlogging-prone areas in the city.
The work order for the Rs 66-crore project will be issued soon, officials said.
Every monsoon, the areas get flooded several times. Thanthania is a low-lying area compared to the roads surrounding it, which is why water flows into the pocket from adjacent places and remains stagnant for days.
Subhasis Deb, a resident of Biplabi Pulin Das Street, near Amherst Street police station, said the Thanthania area has been witnessing waterlogging for many years.
“Sukeas Street, parts of Amherst Street and MG Road are among roads that routinely get waterlogged after a spell of rain. Waist-deep water near the Thanthania Kali temple is a common sight. If this problem is solved, many people will feel relieved,” said Deb.
“Stretches of College Street, too, get waterlogged,” said Deb, who owns stores at the College Street market.
Apart from the drainage pumping station, to come up at Rishikesh Park, near Amherst Street police station, the KMC will lay a 4km-long drainage line under parts of north
and east Kolkata. The conduit will drain out rainwater to a canal.
The project is part of a larger plan of the KMC to tackle the waterlogging woes in north and central Kolkata.
The civic body has also planned a Rs 62-crore project to increase the capacity of the Palmer’s Bridge drainage pumping station, which drains out rainwater from vast swathes of north and central Kolkata.
The mayoral council of the KMC last week gave its nod to issue work order for the construction of the pumping station at Hrishikesh Park and new drainage lines. The mayoral council also gave approval to invite bids for the expansion of the capacity of Palmer’s Bridge drainage pumping station.
The Telegraph reported on February 29 that the mayoral council had approved a project to desilt and strengthen an underground brick sewer line between Moulali and Palmer’s Bridge drainage pumping station.
“All the projects are part of an overall plan to improve the drainage facilities in north and central Kolkata. We want to issue the work order for the drainage pumping station before the Lok Sabha elections dates are announced,” said an official of the KMC.
“If the work order is issued before the poll dates are declared, chances are that the project won’t be delayed. The contractor has been selected through competitive bidding.”
Once the work starts, the contractor will have a year to make the drainage pumping station ready. A KMC official, however, said meeting the deadline would be difficult because of multiple challenges that are likely to come up as work progresses.
The new underground drainage line will cross Vivekandanda Road and APC Road and head towards the Circular Canal. “Stretches of the conduit will run under tram tracks and that is likely to pose some problems,” said the official.
The canal drains out water to the Hooghly during low tide and to waterways to the east of the city during high tide.
The project to desilt the sewer line between Moulali and the Palmer’s Bridge drainage pumping station will cost Rs 175 crore. The tender for the project is likely be floated after the Lok Sabha polls, said a KMC official.