Kolkata: The NGT bench of Justice B Amit Sthlaekar and expert member Arun Kumar Sharma expressed strong dissatisfaction over persistent delays and unresolved issues plaguing Bagjola and Kestopur canals. Clogged canals lead to flooding after heavy rain.
The bench criticised the lack of coordination among agencies, stating: "Since there is a dispute on who should address the encroachments, we direct the state chief secretary to file a personal affidavit." The chief secretary was asked to update committee reports and submit them by April 1, 2025.
The bench highlighted shortcomings in waste segregation in New Town, where only 12% waste is segregated. Authorities have promised to achieve 100% segregation by June 2027, but NGT questioned the feasibility of the timeline.
Pollution abatement in the Bagjola canal remains a concern. While two tenders matured, one remains unresolved despite being reissued five times. The NGT said, "Will the govt remain helpless if bidders do not come forward?" Of 173 outfalls, 51 are proposed to be treated at four plants in Baranagar, S and N Dum Dum and Bidhannagar civic bodies —contingent on land availability. The bench raised alarm about the lack of alternative plans for unavailable land.
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