KOLKATA: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation is set to kick off a Rs 800 crore Adi Ganga or Tolly's Nullah rejuvenation project. Funded by the World Bank, the project that involves increasing the holding capacity of Adi Ganga and a complete overhaul of the drainage system on either side will benefit lakhs of residents living along the canal from Kidderpore (Doi Ghat) to Garia.
According to a KMC official, this is the largest investment in the state in a particular infrastructure segment. A KMC source said the project, scheduled to start in early 2025, will be completed by the end of 2027. "The Centre has roped in World Bank for releasing the entire amount as a grant and approved the project under Namami Gange," said a civic official.
Under the scope of work, the KMC will dredge the canal that runs through 28 KMC wards and three wards under Rajpur-Sonarpur municipality, construct three major sewerage treatment plants, and revamp and augment the capacity of 23 drainage pumping stations located along Adi Ganga.
Three sewerage treatment plants (STP) will be set up in places like Dhalai Bridge in Garia, Golf Garden, and Bansdroni. Together, these three STPs will treat wastewater from households in 28 KMC wards and three wards under Rajpur-Sonarpur municipality. "Now, wastewater is discharged directly into Adi Ganga, making it polluted. After the completion of the project, only treated water will be allowed to be discharged into the nullah. This will improve the quality of water and ensure a less polluted environment for the residents living along the canal," said a KMC official.
According to an official, to ensure that no wastewater is discharged into Tolly's Nullah, the KMC will need to lay drainage pipes in around 50 km areas stretching from Kidderpore to Garia. "These pipelines will connect drainage pumping stations to the proposed sewerage treatment plants. After the entire treatment process starts, the colour of the present water will change remarkably thus giving an opportunity to the residents living along the bank to breathe freely," said mayor Firhad Hakim.
One of the major challenges will be to revamp and augment the capacity of the drainage pumping stations that will be connected to the STPs. "We may need to dismantle and build some drainage pumping stations that are in a shambles," said a civic official.
After the completion of the project and subsequent dredging of Tolly's Nullah, the flooding of large embankment areas will be reduced, claimed a KMC official. "The project will give relief to residents of Hastings, Kalighat, Chetla, Bansdroni, Kudghat, and Garia from waterlogging during monsoons," said a civic official.