KMC to launch Rs 58 crore sewer overhaul to ease waterlogging
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has sanctioned an ambitious drainage refurbishment project worth over Rs 58.12 crore to address persistent waterlogging across seven crucial city wards.
Targeting some of the most flood-prone pockets under Boroughs V, VI, and VII, this initiative signals a major push towards building a more resilient and climate-adaptive urban environment. The project entails comprehensive upgradation and desilting of the ageing brick sewer network, a vestige of colonial-era infrastructure, sprawling through densely populated stretches such as Elliot Road, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Nirmal Chandra Street, Old Court House Street, Chowringhee Road and Elgin Road. Once completed, the hydraulic efficiency of these critical drainage lines is expected to improve significantly, reducing the frequent street inundations that have long disrupted daily life and urban mobility during even moderate rainfall.
Senior civic officials confirmed that the scheme had received final approval from the Mayor and the Municipal Commissioner after a detailed technical review. Funding will be sourced from the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department, underlining the state government’s commitment to sustainable urban management in Kolkata. Wards 47, 51, 52, 53, 61, 62, and 63 have been specifically identified for immediate intervention. Notable stretches include the sewer line between the junctions of AJC Bose Road and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road on Elliot Road, from Park Street to Lenin Sarani along Kidwai Road, and from Lenin Sarani to BB Ganguly Street on Nirmal Chandra Street. Historically, these areas have reported severe drainage backflow, with even low-intensity showers often leading to hours of civic paralysis, affecting livelihoods, commuting, and public health.
KMC’s engineering experts explained that the brick sewer lines, many over a century old, are not only heavily silted but structurally compromised. Over the years, cumulative debris, plastic waste, and silt deposits have choked the flow, drastically reducing the sewage system’s carrying capacity. The refurbishment will involve extensive desilting operations and the application of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) linings to fortify the inner walls of the sewers. GRP technology offers enhanced durability and sustainability, aligning the project with broader goals of reducing environmental degradation and promoting green urbanism. Earlier, in March this year, KMC had launched a pilot project to refurbish the British-era sewer line at BB Ganguly Street, estimated at around Rs 38.30 crore. Officials noted that the success of that initiative provided a model for scaling similar upgrades across central Kolkata, where legacy infrastructure struggles under modern-day urban pressures.
Urban development experts have lauded the move, noting that improving underground civic infrastructure is as vital as building new highways and flyovers. “Resilient drainage systems are at the heart of making Kolkata a sustainable city, especially as climate change triggers more intense and unpredictable rainfall patterns,” a senior urban planner associated with the city’s development board stated. However, some local stakeholders have urged the civic body to ensure minimal disruption during execution. Traders and residents in the project corridors, already grappling with traffic congestion and space constraints, expressed concerns about possible road closures and access restrictions once the desilting work begins. Civic officials assured that the project execution would be phased carefully to minimise inconvenience and maintain essential urban mobility.
Once completed, the project is expected to not only mitigate waterlogging but also enhance the quality of life in affected areas by reducing waterborne health risks, minimising economic losses due to flood-related disruptions, and improving property values. Additionally, upgraded sewers will reduce the load on Kolkata’s pumping stations, making the overall system more energy-efficient and climate-friendly. KMC’s proactive approach to upgrading its aged infrastructure reflects an important shift towards prioritising equitable, eco-conscious urban governance, addressing long-neglected but critical aspects of city life. As Kolkata continues to urbanise rapidly, investments in sustainable drainage systems will play a pivotal role in protecting the city’s future from the twin threats of urban flooding and environmental degradation.
While challenges remain in the seamless execution of such large-scale civic upgrades, the drainage overhaul demonstrates a clear commitment to building a more liveable, inclusive, and environmentally secure Kolkata.
