Kolkata’s BMC Plans Pumping Station to Curb Waterlogging
The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to combat the recurring waterlogging issues in Salt Lake, Kolkata, with the introduction of a new drop pumping station. This ambitious plan is designed to strengthen the city’s drainage outfall system and enhance the swift drainage of excess stormwater. With a comprehensive project in the pipeline, BMC aims to create a more resilient infrastructure to prevent flooding and waterlogging during the monsoon and heavy rainfalls.
The initiative comes after years of increasing concerns over the inadequate drainage capacity in Salt Lake, one of the city’s prominent residential and commercial hubs. As heavy rainfall causes widespread flooding, it has long been a struggle for residents and businesses in the area. Excess stormwater generated in Salt Lake flows through several outfalls, eventually draining into the Kestopur Canal. However, civic authorities have acknowledged that the current system is ill-equipped to handle the intensity of rainfall that has become a recurring issue.BMC has collaborated with the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) to design and implement a drop pumping station that will act as a key intervention in this matter. “The drop pumping station will ensure that the excess stormwater first flows to the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), where it will be purified before being discharged into the canal,” explained Debraj Chakraborty, BMC’s MMIC (Waste Management and Drainage).
A broader strategy to intercept and manage all outfalls in the Salt Lake area. By connecting the outfalls to a single drainage system, the BMC intends to enable efficient and simultaneous draining of excess water, thus preventing waterlogging before it becomes a major issue. Chakraborty emphasized that the ultimate goal is to facilitate speedy drainage through the drop pumping station, which will be an integral component of this flood prevention strategy.The Public Works Department (PWD) is working on plans to set up four additional pumping stations along key locations on VIP Road. These stations will assist in draining excess water into the Bagjola Canal, further addressing the problem of waterlogging, particularly in the critical Haldiram crossing area, which often experiences severe flooding.These planned improvements highlight the BMC’s commitment to enhancing Kolkata’s drainage infrastructure, which is crucial for the city’s sustainability and resilience.
The new pumping stations are expected to be highly effective in mitigating waterlogging issues, which have been exacerbated by climate change, rapid urbanisation, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. By improving stormwater management, the BMC is not only addressing immediate concerns but also taking steps towards creating a more eco-friendly and water-sensitive urban environment.
The drop pumping station is just one of many initiatives that the BMC is undertaking to create a more sustainable, climate-resilient Kolkata. In line with the city’s future development plans, this strategy aims to manage water efficiently and ensure that flooding does not disrupt daily life or harm the city’s infrastructure.
Kolkata faces the challenges of urban growth and climate change, the BMC’s proactive efforts to tackle waterlogging issues in Salt Lake through advanced drainage infrastructure are a commendable step forward. The city’s citizens, businesses, and local authorities are looking to these projects as essential components of the future-proofing of the metropolis.
