KMDA revamps civic infra & amenities at Sarobar Lake
Times of India | 4 June 2025
Kolkata: The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is enhancing the civic infrastructure and other amenities of Rabindra Sarobar Lake. The authorities are laying trunks (bullah piling) on the sides of the entire waterbody to protect the banks of the 72-acre wide lake. Additionally, the stormwater drainage system on the section towards Tollygunge has been revamped, and about two km of the inner walkway is also being renovated.Officials said that the decision to do bullah piling by laying trunks on the banks of the lake waterbody was taken to prevent further erosion of its sides, as the banks have eroded in many places."The previous bullah piling work that was done years ago got damaged at several stretches on the sides of the waterbody. This resulted in soil subsidence on the bank of the waterbody. A fresh bullah drive is being conducted at the sides, replacing the old trunks, as close to 80% of the work is completed with about 5,000 new trunks put up on the sides. It is expected to take another 20 to 25 days to fully complete the work," said an official.Officials said that the drainage system of the southern part of the Lake has been fully revamped. "The previous drainage line towards the Tollygunge side of the Lake was worn out and lost its capacity to flush out excess stormwater, as waterlogging was occurring during heavy rains. The old lines have been replaced, and new drainage lines have been laid on about a 1.5 km stretch. So far, there has been no waterlogging during the recent heavy rains," said an official.Regarding the revamping of the main pathways towards the Tollygunge side inside the Lake, the authorities have re-laid about one km of the pathways with new interlocking paver blocks, and the remaining 800 metres of the walkway will be re-laid with fresh bituminous, the official said.Additionally, the authorities are also working to set up a new toilet block near Menoka Gate as per demands and requirements. Officials said that work is nearing completion. "All work is expected to be fully completed by the end of this month," said an official.Kolkata: The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is enhancing the civic infrastructure and other amenities of Rabindra Sarobar Lake. The authorities are laying trunks (bullah piling) on the sides of the entire waterbody to protect the banks of the 72-acre wide lake. Additionally, the stormwater drainage system on the section towards Tollygunge has been revamped, and about two km of the inner walkway is also being renovated.Officials said that the decision to do bullah piling by laying trunks on the banks of the lake waterbody was taken to prevent further erosion of its sides, as the banks have eroded in many places."The previous bullah piling work that was done years ago got damaged at several stretches on the sides of the waterbody. This resulted in soil subsidence on the bank of the waterbody. A fresh bullah drive is being conducted at the sides, replacing the old trunks, as close to 80% of the work is completed with about 5,000 new trunks put up on the sides. It is expected to take another 20 to 25 days to fully complete the work," said an official.Officials said that the drainage system of the southern part of the Lake has been fully revamped. "The previous drainage line towards the Tollygunge side of the Lake was worn out and lost its capacity to flush out excess stormwater, as waterlogging was occurring during heavy rains. The old lines have been replaced, and new drainage lines have been laid on about a 1.5 km stretch. So far, there has been no waterlogging during the recent heavy rains," said an official.Regarding the revamping of the main pathways towards the Tollygunge side inside the Lake, the authorities have re-laid about one km of the pathways with new interlocking paver blocks, and the remaining 800 metres of the walkway will be re-laid with fresh bituminous, the official said.Additionally, the authorities are also working to set up a new toilet block near Menoka Gate as per demands and requirements. Officials said that work is nearing completion. "All work is expected to be fully completed by the end of this month," said an official.