Behala canal dredging has begun in Kolkata’s Parnasree canal to improve stormwater flow and reduce recurring waterlogging across three Kolkata Municipal Corporation wards, with nearly one lakh residents expected to benefit from the work. The exercise, undertaken by the state government in Behala West, is expected to be completed within 15 to 20 days.
The dredging is intended to restore the canal’s water-carrying capacity by removing silt and other accumulated material that has reduced its effective depth over time. Faster movement through the canal is expected to improve the discharge of rainwater from neighbourhoods connected to its drainage network.
The intervention will particularly affect parts of wards 129 and 130, where stormwater is carried towards the Parnasree canal outfall. The connected drainage network runs through Netaji Subhas Road, Sarat Chatterjee Road, Brahmo Samaj Road and Khudiram Bose Sarani before reaching the Behala Flying Club pumping station.
In ward 131, the canal originates from Behala Parnasree Road and passes through the ward before entering Maheshtala municipality’s Ward 13. It then merges with the Monikhali canal. The drainage system therefore serves residents along the canal as well as households and streets dependent on the connected network to move rainwater out of the area.
Indranil Khan, the state youth services and sports minister and representative of the Behala West constituency, said the dredging was intended to restore the canal’s water-carrying capacity. He described the initiative as particularly significant for residents of Behala Paschim.
The canal was last dredged five years ago, according to the report. Since then, the accumulation of silt and other material has reduced the available depth and carrying capacity, potentially slowing the drainage of rainwater during heavy showers.
Residents have linked the drainage problem to disruptions for pedestrians and road traffic. Ranita Das, a resident of ward 131, said water accumulates after intense showers and can sometimes remain for a prolonged period. She expressed hope that the work would reduce waterlogging to a reasonable extent.
The project’s immediate milestone is the completion of the dredging exercise within the stated 15-to-20-day period. Its effect will depend on the restored flow through the Parnasree canal and the connected drainage network serving Behala and adjoining areas.
