Drainage overhaul to reduce waterlogging near Milan Mela

KOLKATA: The civic body on Thursday started the much-awaited work of laying underground sewer lines from Tangra to EM By pass that is expected to reduce severe waterlogging in front of Science City and Milan Mela ground. The new sewerage project is likely ensure that storm water recedes quickly from large areas of the EM Bypass near Parama Island.

A team of Kolkata Municipal Corporation drainage and sewerage department officials on Friday surveyed the area, inspecting the nature of the inundation that large stretches of China Town and the arterial road experience every monsoon due to the absence of an underground sewerage.


An official said the stretch between Gobindo Khatick Road (Tangra) and EM Bypass would go under water even after moderate rain. “Last year it was horrible. On a couple of occasions we had to suspend traffic on the stretch between Science City and EM Bypass because of flooding. So we decided to replace the surface drains with an underground system,” he said.

The work that began on Friday has a nine-month deadline. However, the contractor who has been entrusted to lay the sewer lines has been asked to finish at least 500 metres of work before monsoon so that motorists and locals get relief from inundation of roads.

Before the project was conceived, a real estate group was asked to arrange for an underground drainage network for a small Tangra stretch that connected to the major thoroughfare leading to Science City. “The real estate group has started the work and when our project gets complete, a section of residents of Tangra will also benefit from it,” another official said.

Jamil Ahmed, a resident of Tangra and a government employee, was elated at the development. “Every year before monsoon I keep my fingers crossed. Even after a few spells of moderate rains, we would be in by a pool of water. Taking the Science City route to reach EM Bypass was a nightmare during monsoon. Now, we can hope to get rid of inundation,” Ahmed said.