Kolkata: The state municipal affairs minister, Agnimitra Paul, on Tuesday inspected waterlogging black spots across the city after the MMiC overseeing the KMC sewerage and drainage resigned on Tuesday, citing his 'helplessness' in tackling drainage issues ahead of the monsoon season.
Paul, accompanied by KMC and state government officials, started the inspection from Taratala. She then visited Pujali, Chorial canal, and Hastings to assess the current condition of the canal and the drainage system in these areas.
The team subsequently inspected several drainage facilities located off EM Bypass. Paul also visited an under-construction drainage pumping station at Hrishikesh Park on Amherst Street. This pumping station has been planned to address waterlogging issues on Amherst Street, Keshab Sen Street, Thanthania, Sukea Street, College Street, and parts of Bidhan Sarani.
"Monsoon is expected to arrive in another 10 to 15 days. There are lock gates at Chorial and Pujali, but there is no lock gate system on the Adi Ganga stretch at Hastings. It has been instructed to lay pipes at places where waterlogging will occur so that excess water can be flushed out to the nearest ponds. The water could later be used through rainwater harvesting. As of now, the canals have to be cleaned," Paul said.
Paul announced that a meeting will be held on Saturday. "Officials have been asked to bring land records to identify locations with ponds to work out a plan to use pipes from waterlogging-prone areas to flush out excess water," the minister said. "We are urging citizens to segregate waste and not throw plastic waste anywhere," Paul added.
The minister also visited a jeans manufacturing factory unit in the Mahisgote Chhata area. "The process emits a kind of acid which is being drained into the canal, and eventually dumped into the Hooghly. There are special machines to filter these pollutants, and the factory units have been directed to use them immediately," said Paul.
Bidhannagar MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee on Tuesday held a meeting with officials of the BMC to review the civic body's monsoon preparedness to prevent waterlogging in the area.
