3 sewage treatment plants to keep Tolly Nullah water clean

Kolkata: To stop pollution in Tolly Nullah, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), is coming up with three sewage treatment plants at strategic locations on its bank. The three treatment plants will treat waste before discharging it into the water.

"We have already identified land for construction of the sewage treatment plants at ward 110, 97 and 94 and will soon float tender for the project. The construction will be undertaken with funds from the Namami Gange Project. We have sought Rs 1,500 crore for the construction of these sewage treatment plants from the Centre," said Debabrata Majumder, Member, Mayor-in-Council (Solid Waste Management and Tolly Nullah).

The pollution in Tolly Nullah has been under the supervision of the National Green Tribunal for the past few years and the green bench had from time to time issued directives on curbing the pollution of the water. The KMC has also taken measures to do the needful to their maximum possible extent.

"We are now cleaning the Tolly Nullah which is also known as Adi Ganga on a regular basis," Majumder added.

He said his department has installed nets at 11 places on its bank. "Objects that floats get stuck in the nets and labourers in boats pick them up and remove it to keep the water clean," he added.

A senior official of the Solid Waste Management department claimed that they have already removed cattle sheds and piggeries situated on the banks of Tolly Nullah that had been a major contributor to pollute Adi Ganga and had submitted the details of work in the form of affidavit to the NGT a year back. The civic body has also taken up awareness drives among the residents to dissuade them from dumping wastes in the water and have also organised two walks with banners and hoardings regarding keeping the Adi Ganga clean. Recently, KMC has got the Centre's nod to carry out dredging of Tolly Nullah.

Set up by the British, Tolly Nullah was connected with the Bay of Bengal many years ago. There were regular ferry services on the canal. But, over the years, due to lack of dredging operation, the canal had choked and ferry services had to be suspended.