KMC to list out deep tubewells in highrises
Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will soon carry out a survey in the existing highrises or housing complexes in the city to make a list of deep tubewells or similar infrastructure that is being used for extraction of groundwater. The civic body has already started refusing sanctions to any new highrise project in the city until it dishes out a concrete plan of drainage and water supply. This was announced by Mayor Firhad Hakim during the monthly meeting of the KMC on Tuesday.
"We are gradually moving towards replacing all deep tubewells in the city with groundwater depleting at a rapid pace. This is a global problem and if we do not take measures to address the issue then our future generation may reel under severe water crisis," Hakim said in response to a proposal from Left Front councillor Debasish Mukherjee for taking effective measures to prevent water wastage and curbing the practice of extracting groundwater. Mukherjee also pointed out that a number of housing complexes in the city, particularly the older ones still depend on deep tubewells for water.
According to the Mayor, there are presently 369 deep tubewells in open space in the city, particularly in the added areas including Jadavpur and Tollygunge. 132 deep tubewells exist in Borough X of the civic body which comprises wards 81, 89, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 and 99. "We are increasing the capacity of our water treatment plant at Garden Reach by 25 million gallon with an investment of Rs 87 crore. The capacity of the water treatment plant at Dhapa is also being raised to 50 million gallon from the existing 30. Moreover, we are taking up work for capsule booster pumping station at a number of wards in the city to ensure that potable drinking water reaches to the tail end," he added.
In a significant stride to prevent water wastage, the KMC has installed water meters in a number of wards in North Kolkata. "We will gradually install water meters in all the wards of the civic body to prevent misuse but we will not charge a single penny from the citizens for paying water tax," he added.
