Major Water Infrastructure Upgrade Launched in Salt Lake, Kolkata
The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to transform water supply services for approximately 100,000 residents across Salt Lake, Kolkata, with a comprehensive upgrade initiative scheduled to commence next month. This significant project will impact 11 blocks and three housing estates, including the prominent Karunamoyee Housing, marking a pivotal step in enhancing urban amenities in the region.
Revamped Overhead Reservoirs and New Connections
As part of the upgrade, BMC will introduce three revamped overhead water reservoirs—tanks 3, 5, and 10—by the end of this week. These tanks are integral to the filtered water supply system that serves over 26,000 households and numerous commercial establishments in Salt Lake. Each reservoir has a capacity of 1.2 lakh gallons and operates daily in four shifts to ensure consistent water distribution.
Concurrently, house-to-house filtered water supply connections will be activated for wards 22 to 26, covering Kestopur and parts of Baguiati, as well as wards 38 and 39 in Duttabad. This initiative will benefit close to 80,000 residents across more than 30,000 households, providing them with access to filtered surface water from the New Town treatment plant. Previously, many of these areas relied heavily on underground water reserves, but a new distribution network has been established to deliver treated water directly to homes.
First-Time Access for Duttabad Residents
In a landmark development, all 10,280 houses in the Duttabad area, which borders Salt Lake, will receive house-to-house water connections and taps for the first time. Civic officials noted that prior to this upgrade, pipelines did not extend to all parts of Duttabad, forcing residents to collect water from roadside taps. This new infrastructure aims to eliminate such inconveniences and improve overall living standards.
Funding and Inauguration Details
The upgrade project is funded under the AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme, representing the first major overhaul of Salt Lake's water supply infrastructure since the township's inception. According to Tulsi Sinha Roy, BMC MMIC for water supply, full overhaul and revamp work has been completed for the three tanks, including the replacement of old pumps. Renovation and allied internal work for the remaining 12 tanks are progressing in phases.
The authorities are awaiting the inauguration of these schemes by Bidhannagar MLA and minister Sujit Bose. Additionally, BMC will introduce an online reservation system for cleaning and other water supply-related services, streamlining maintenance and enhancing efficiency for residents.
This comprehensive upgrade underscores BMC's commitment to improving water accessibility and quality, addressing long-standing issues, and setting a new standard for urban infrastructure in Kolkata.
