Waterlogging woes of Behala residents addressed: Mayor

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Sunday claimed to have put an end to the waterlogging problem in Behala with an underground sewerage system. Mayor Firhad Hakim walked through the eight-feet diametre pipe which is similar to an underground tunnel along with KMC engineers and took stock of the completed work.

The pipeline, according to the Mayor, will be responsible for transferring sewerage and rainwater to the Joka pumping station.

"This is my gift to the people of four wards in Behala who have been facing problem of waterlogging for many years. I am happy to dedicate this modern sewerage system to the residents of Behala," Hakim said.

According to sources in the Drainage department of the KMC, the four wards that will bear the fruits of this initiative are 123, 124, 143 and 144. The work has been executed under KEIIP (Kolkata Environmental Improvement Investment Programme) project through funds of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

"The James Long Sarani needed to be dug up at many places for this work. We are thankful to the people of Behala for showing immense patience," an official in the Drainage department said.

The Mayor added that similar kind of work needs to be done in the added areas in Kolkata and parts of Howrah to address water accumulation issues.

"We have already held talks with ADB and I will visit its headquarters at Manila to push for funds," Hakim said.

It is learnt that the KMC is doing a comprehensive plan of drainage infrastructure for the added areas in the city. The survey is going on following which the civic body will follow the DPR. Funds will be sought after that.

"The brick sewerage system of yesteryears is not feasible these days. We need to come up with facilities in which work can be executed in a short time," the Mayor said.