Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is set to receive a Rs 500 crore grant from the Centre, as part of a disaster management scheme, to develop an effective flood management system for the city. An intimation from the Centre reached the civic headquarters last week.
The KMC sewerage and drainage department plans to restore water bodies, set up flood monitoring and warning system, modernize the drainage pumping stations and dredge the city’s outfall canals to offer Kolkatans relief from waterlogging.
According to a KMC sewerage and drainage department official, the civic body plans to make the best use of the allocated funds.
“We have made an elaborate plan to give citizens relief from waterlogging. The funds will help us in building an infrastructure which will not only combat deluge but also be environment friendly,” said the official.
Sources said the funds will be used to restore two ‘jheels’ in Kudghat, and restore several ponds in the Bansdroni-Garia belt and some areas off Bypass. “We have made a plan for restoration of ‘jheels’ and ponds, especially in the low-lying areas that will have a capacity to absorb 346 million litres of storm water. We will also create a green zone around the restored water bodies as part of an environment improvement plan,” said an official.