The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has made an urgent appeal to the state's irrigation department, pressing for immediate dredging operations on several critical outfall canals. These waterways are essential for carrying storm water away from the city and preventing severe flooding after heavy rainfall.
Drone Survey Reveals Critical Siltation
Officials revealed that a recent survey of the city's primary outfall canals, conducted with the help of drone technology, was instrumental in identifying the most severely affected channels. This aerial assessment provided a clear picture of silt accumulation, leading to a prioritized list of canals requiring urgent attention.
A dedicated inspection team subsequently examined key waterways including the Guniagachi canal, Suti canal, and the Intercepting canal along EM Bypass. These specific canals are responsible for draining storm water from extensive areas of south Kolkata and numerous neighbourhoods situated off the Bypass.
List of Canals Needing Immediate Action
Beyond the initially inspected canals, the KMC has identified several others that are heavily silted and pose a significant flood risk. The list includes the Manikhali, Begore, Churial, and Beliaghata canals. The civic body has formally requested irrigation department officials to commence the crucial dredging work, with a start date set for Saturday.
Compounding the problem is the issue of large-scale encroachment on canal banks. These illegal structures present a major challenge for the KMC's sewerage and drainage department, hindering their ability to effectively manage and mitigate flood situations during intense downpours.
Drainage Upgrades Incomplete Without Canal Dredging
MMiC (Member, Mayor-in-Council) for the KMC sewerage and drainage department, Tarak Singh, emphasized the interconnected nature of the city's drainage system. He stated that while the department has consistently worked on updating the drainage network and undertaken major desilting drives, the full benefit of these initiatives cannot be realized until the outfall canals are properly cleared.
"The outcome of our initiative will not be seen until the outfall canals are dredged and made ready for taking a huge volume of storm water after a downpour," Singh explained. His comment underscores the critical need for the irrigation department's cooperation to ensure the entire drainage pathway, from city streets to outfall canals, is functional and free of obstructions.
The pre-monsoon push highlights Kolkata's ongoing battle with urban flooding and the administrative coordination required between different civic bodies to protect the city from waterlogging during the rainy season.
