Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has taken up the refurbishment of the 148-year-old underground sewer line from Moulali to Palmer Bridge drainage pumping station. This brick sewer — India’s first and world’s third-oldest functioning line with a 2.4 m diameter — is set to undergo a major revamp.
After completion of the Rs 175 crore sewer refurbishment and rehabilitation project, over 10 lakh people across 30 KMC wards will be spared of severe flooding during monsoon, said a KMC official.The proposal was passed in the KMC House on Monday. The 1.1 km-long underground sewer line is also known as Town outfall sewer line. The first sewer line in world was laid in London in 1870 followed by another in Hamburg in 1874.
The KMC has also decided to upgrade Palmer Bridge drainage pumping station. KMC member, mayor-in-council, Tarak Singh, said residents of large parts of north and central Kolkata will be benefitted with the upgrade.