Kolkata Municipal Corporation Announces Major Water Treatment Plant for South Kolkata
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has unveiled plans to construct a significant new water treatment facility at Garden Reach, specifically designed to address the pressing need for safe drinking water in the high-rise dominated areas of south Kolkata. This strategic initiative comes as a direct response to numerous requests from residents of multi-story buildings who have been struggling with inadequate access to treated municipal water.
Addressing Long-Standing Water Supply Challenges
For years, many high-rise developments across south Kolkata have lacked proper connections to the existing treated water supply from Garden Reach. Consequently, these residential complexes have been forced to rely heavily on groundwater extracted through tubewells, raising concerns about water quality and sustainability. The KMC headquarters has been inundated with applications from residents seeking access to potable water, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The proposed plant represents a targeted solution, with a substantial daily production capacity of 40 million gallons of water. This infrastructure project is specifically engineered to serve those areas where groundwater dependence remains prevalent, with particular emphasis on accommodating the needs of high-rise buildings that have formally applied for safe drinking water connections.
Current Water Infrastructure and Future Expansion
Presently, the Garden Reach water works complex operates six independent treatment plants with a combined daily output of 210 million gallons. This existing supply primarily serves major sections of south Kolkata and extends to suburban regions along the EM Bypass corridor. Additionally, the facility provides potable water to neighboring municipalities including Pujali and Maheshtala.
A KMC water supply department official explained: "The proposed 40 MGD plant was designed to cater to specific areas where residents depend on groundwater and high-rises that applied for safe drinking water. This represents a focused expansion of our distribution network to address identified gaps in service coverage."
The official further identified key localities where demand has been particularly strong, including Behala, Joka, Tollygunge, Jadavpur, Garia, Chetla, and Rashbehari Avenue. These areas contain numerous high-rise complexes that have formally requested access to the municipal water supply system.
Resident Perspectives on Water Security
Residents of affected high-rises have expressed both frustration with current conditions and optimism about the proposed solution. Jyotirmoy Sinha Roy, a resident of Merlin Laurel Garden in Purba Barisha, Behala, shared his experience: "We receive some filtered water, but we remain heavily dependent on groundwater. Our complex of 96 flats across six towers has already applied for an extended ferrule connection from KMC, and we were prepared to pay additional charges. If this project materializes, it will provide genuine relief to all residents in our community."
Another resident, Sumanta Mitra from the 15-year-old Genexx Valley complex in Joka, highlighted the severity of the situation: "Our community of 6,000 residents across 1,875 flats remains entirely dependent on groundwater. Despite years of appeals to KMC authorities and meetings with Minister Firhad Hakim, we have found no lasting solution to our acute water problems. The completion of this treatment plant would offer immense assistance to our daily lives."
When operational, the new Garden Reach water treatment plant is estimated to benefit approximately 10 lakh people across south Kolkata, marking a significant step toward improved water security and public health in the region.
