KMC looks to finish complete overhaul of Tolly Nullah in 30 months
Kolkata: Kolkata Municipal Corporation has set a time frame of 30 months for a complete overhaul of Tolly Nullah to curb pollution and has taken up a slew of measures, both short and long term, in this direction.
The pollution of Tolly Nullah, popularly known as Adi Ganga, has been under the supervision of the National Green Tribunal for the last few years and the green bench had, from time to time, issued directives on curbing the pollution of the water.
"We have installed two composter machines at strategic locations in the bank of Tolly Nullah and will have two more by this month. The rotten wastes that are dumped beside the canal will be converted to fertiliser through these machines," said Debabrata Majumder, Member, Mayor-in-Council (Tolly Nullah).
According to Majumder, the civic body has taken up dredging work from Kudghat to Garia area and is hopeful that it will be completed before the monsoon season, resulting in steady drainage of water along the stretch. The KMC has already set up floating nets from Doighat to Garia. The floating materials get stuck in the nets and labourers in boats pick up the same and remove them to keep the water clean.
"We have already removed cattle sheds and piggeries situated on the banks of Tolly Nullah, while all open toilets have been removed and permanent toilets set up to stop open defecation. The open vats have also been removed," claimed Majumder. The KMC is setting up three sewage treatment plants at wards 110, 97 and 94 on the bank of Adi Ganga and have already sought Central funds under the Namami Gange project.
The civic body will also come up with a 114 km-long pipeline, so that the sewage water is directly channeled to these treatment plants and after doing the needful, it will be dumped in 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 the lack of dredging operation, the canal got choked and ferry services were suspended.
