Kolkata Starts Water Infrastructure Upgrade In Kasba Dhakuria Areas
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has initiated construction of two booster pumping stations with underground reservoirs to significantly improve the potable water supply across parts of Kasba and Dhakuria. The development marks a long-awaited step towards reducing dependence on groundwater and advancing equitable access to clean, filtered water in the city’s Ward 91.
The civic body has commenced work at two sites; Kamala Park in Dhakuria and Jagannath Ghosh Road in Kasba, with the aim of augmenting water distribution across densely populated areas such as Bosepukur, Rathtala, and Dhakuria. Currently, many residents rely on tubewells for daily water needs, often facing inconsistent access and quality issues. Once operational, these semi-underground reservoirs-cum-booster pumping stations are expected to decommission the use of 19 tubewells in the region, paving the way for a more sustainable and centralised water distribution system.
According to senior officials from the KMC water supply department, the Kamala Park booster station will have a storage capacity of over 3.1 million litres, while the second station in Kasba will hold over 1.8 million litres. Both stations will receive treated water directly from the Dhapa water treatment plant and redistribute it across the borough using a newly designed pipeline network. This move is part of KMC’s broader strategy to expand the capacity and efficiency of its potable water infrastructure in response to increasing urban demand and environmental pressures. The estimated investment in this project stands at over ₹10 crore, with the Kamala Park site accounting for around ₹5.9 crore and the Kasba station expected to cost approximately ₹4.1 crore. Civic engineers expect the construction to take up to 18 months, provided that weather and ground conditions remain favourable. Officials confirmed that advanced civil infrastructure, energy-efficient pumps, and pressure-regulated pipelines will be deployed to ensure operational sustainability.
KMC had approved this proposal nearly two years ago after field surveys indicated severe gaps in water supply equity across Ward 91. The push to replace tubewell-based systems with filtered surface water aims to not only meet rising demand but also reduce the ecological stress of groundwater extraction in the long term. Urban planners and environmental experts have welcomed the move as a positive development in creating climate-resilient urban infrastructure. In a city frequently beset by water stress during peak summer months and erratic rainfall, investments in efficient water supply systems are crucial to maintaining public health and social equity.
As the city grows, the pressure on basic amenities like water supply intensifies. These new pumping stations represent a step towards building an inclusive Kolkata, one that prioritises long-term sustainability over short-term fixes. However, timely execution, quality assurance, and ongoing maintenance will determine whether this ambitious project delivers on its promise.
