As West Bengal prepares for an early monsoon in June, the state government is taking steps to mitigate large-scale waterlogging in the urban areas and has identified over 300 waterlogging-prone “black spots” throughout the state, including 22 within the KMC area.

Some of the “black spots” include Chingrighata in Bidhannagar, stretches along the Bagjola Canal, the Chowbhaga pumping station area behind Dhapa, the Chorial Canal belt, Manikhali, Howrah, Keshtopur, and Begor Khal.

Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul has conducted extensive virtual meetings with various agencies, including the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), Public Works Department (PWD), State Urban Development Agency (SUDA), and several civic bodies to review preparations ahead of the monsoon season.

Officials said that Paul would personally visit major waterlogging-prone locations across the state between June 1 and June 7 to assess the preparations on the ground.

The minister has instructed the officials to keep extra pumps ready to remove excess rainwater during downpours.

Additionally, Paul has directed KMC, KMDA, and New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) to take measures to prevent electrocution incidents resulting from waterlogging.

PWD has also been tasked with addressing encroachments along the canals, particularly near the Bagjola Canal.

Sources indicate that officials have been instructed to commence preventive work and ensure emergency infrastructure is kept ready, as Paul emphasized the importance of applying lessons learned from last year’s flooding and drainage failures while devising this year’s strategy.

They have been advised not to take leave during this critical period, and drainage cleaning operations will continue throughout the monsoon season. Additionally, given the increased risk of dengue during the monsoon, a separate review meeting on dengue prevention has been scheduled next week.