Desiltation of city’s major canals completed
The state Irrigation and Waterways department has completed desiltation of 12 canals spanning over 160 km in the city for curbing the menace of waterlogging within Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation and some adjoining areas in the city’s outskirts. In almost all these canals, the desiltation work is already over with beautification and fencing work going on.
“The city’s sewerage system is solely dependent on these canals. So, we had developed a comprehensive master plan in collaboration with the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department and Kolkata Municipal Corporation regarding dredging of the canals to mitigate waterlogging. The plan had intricate details of silt deposition and quantum to be dredged in these canals. We are hopeful of getting results from this monsoon itself,” a senior official of the state Irrigation and Waterways department said.
Around 28.8 km stretch of Lower Bagjola canal has been desilted and disposal of the earth has been done, which will prevent waterlogging in Bidhannagar, New Town, Rajarhat, Haroa and Bhangore I. The Upper Bagjola has undergone dredging of 13.24 km as well as disposal of the earth.
The excavation work will benefit people from Kashipur – Belgachia area in Kolkata and parts of Kamarhati, Baranagar, South Dum Dum, North Dum Dum and Dum Dum.
The Kestopur canal stretching 18.6 km has also been rejuvenated to prevent waterlogging in Shyampukur, Chitpore, Tala, parts of South Dum Dum, Bidhannagar and also New Town area along with Bhangore II block in South 24-Parganas. The dredging of Bhangorekata canal of 21 km length has also been done to curb waterlogging in Haroa and Bhangore I and II blocks.
Around 36.5 km stretch from Keorapukar canal that includes 6.5 km under the KMC has also seen 65 percent of the work getting completed amidst severe encroachment issue. Wards 111, 116, 123 at Tollygunge, Regent Park and Haridevpur will benefit from this work with October 23 being the target for completion. The Parnashree Khal and Manikhal dredging work has also been completed with wards 131,132 in Behala and adjoining wards under Maheshtala municipality reaping benefits.
The TP Main Canal and its branches stretching 18.14 km and the Intercepting Channel and its branches stretching 7.3 km have been desilted.
Wards 104, 106, 107, 108, 109, 101 and 102 at Anandapur, Kasba, Jadavpur, Patuli, Survey Park and Garfa are reaping the fruits.
The Town Head cut and defunct DWF canal of length 12.31 km and DWF canal of 5.95 km dredging is over with fencing and beautification work going on. Wards 57, 58 and 66 of KMC and 36 of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation will benefit from this work.
In Howrah Municipal Corporation area, 5.3 km of Howrah Drainage Channel and 940 m of Baltikuri channel have been dredged to prevent waterlogging.
“We are hopeful that dredging of the canals will result in draining accumulated water in quick time and will provide respite from waterlogging woes,” the official added.
