KMC proposes 24x7 drinking water supply by 2023

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) proposed to supply 24x7 drinking water by 2023 with special measures to stop its wastage, said Mayor Firhad Hakim on Friday.

He was addressing a gathering to celebrate 20 years of partnership between the KMC and Asian Development Bank (ADB). A book was released to mark the occasion. Hakim took part in a discussion titled 'Kolkata: A partnership for a more sustainable, inclusive and more resilient city' at a Central Kolkata hotel on Friday afternoon.

Two books, namely Kolkata by Neeta Pokhrel and Partnering for development by KMC were released on the occasion.

Subrata Gupta, Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs department, Khalil Ahmed, Municipal Commissioner and Jadav Mondol of Kolkata Environment Improvement Investment Programme (KEIIP), along with senior civic officials were present at the function. Takehiko Nakao, president ADB, was also present.

Hakim said KMC has always considered ADB as a partner in providing better amenities to the people of Kolkata and not merely a lending agency. "It is not that KMC is borrower and ADB a lending agency. On the contrary, KMC has always considered ADB to be a partner in providing better amenities to the people of Kolkata," the Mayor said.

He said KMC had partnered with ADB for the first time way back in 1998, when Kolkata Environment Improvement Project (KEIP) was taken up. ADB has played a major role in improving the drainage and sewerage system of Kolkata, he added.

Hakim also urged ADB to provide funds to augment the drainage systems in Jadavpur, Garden Reach, Behala and Howrah. The ADB officials said that they have got the proposal and will consider the matter. KEIP is conducting a survey regarding the same.

Hakim said Kolkata is one of the largest cities in India and lakhs of people come to the city from the districts everyday for work. The KMC supplies 350 million gallons of potable water per day and clears 4,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily.

The KMC is determined to provide better amenities to the people of Kolkata. It has given emphasis on its own revenue and reduced its dependence on the state government. Hakim said the ADB funds have been used mainly to improve the drainage system and conserve water bodies. He also said that the programme Talk to Mayor has become immensely popular, where the people get a chance to talk directly with the Mayor and their problems are addressed immediately.