Plan in place to beautify banks of stretch on Bagjola Canal

Kolkata: Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) and the state Irrigation department have chalked out a plan to beautify the banks of a stretch on the Bagjola Canal that passes through New Town.

Senior officials of both HIDCO and state Irrigation department recently inspected the site to prepare a comprehensive plan.

An architect is preparing the development plan which will be placed before HIDCO and the state Irrigation department soon.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also wants the stretch to be developed which is situated close to the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre. The Bengal Global Business Summit 2018 will be held at the Convention Centre on January 16 and 17 followed by Destination East, an international tourism meet that will be organised jointly by the state government and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) on January 18 and 19 respectively. Hundreds of guests from across the world will come to New Town to take part in these two meetings.

The banks of Bagjola Canal have already been beautified by HIDCO and lights have been installed and meticulous gardening has been done.

Fountains will also be installed as part of the beautification programme.

The biggest problem is the floating garbage. The Canal has been used as a "dumping vat." Throughout its 22.5 km stretch connecting Vidyadharai Basin with Barrackpore, people throw garbage into the canal. Though the state government has carried out dredging operation in some parts and the embankments have been repaired or reconstructed, people are still throwing garbage.

Nets will be installed on the two banks of the Canal in New Town and the floating garbage will be cleaned.