Pre-monsoon check: Min visits waterlogging black spots across Kol

Kolkata: The state municipal affairs minister, Agnimitra Paul, on Tuesday inspected the waterlogging black spots across the city after the MMiC overseeing the KMC sewerage and drainage, resigned on Tuesday, citing his ‘helplessness' in tackling the drainage issues ahead of the monsoon season.Paul, accompanied by the KMC and state govt officials, started the inspection from Taratala. Then she went to Pujali, Chorial canal and Hastings to take a look at the present condition of the canal and the drainage system of these areas.The team then visited several drainage facilities that are located off EM Bypass. Paul also visited an under-construction drainage pumping station at Hrishikesh Park on Amherst Street. This drainage pumping station has been planned to take care of waterlogging woes of Amherst Street, Keshab Sen Street, Thanthania, Sukea Street, College Street and parts of Bidhan Sarani."Monsoon is expected to arrive in another 10 to 15 days. There are lock gates at Chorial and Pujali, but there is no lock gate system on the Adi Ganga stretch at Hastings. It has been instructed to lay pipes at places where waterlogging will occur so that the excess water could be flushed out at the nearest ponds. The water could be used later through rainwater harvesting. As of now, the canals have to be cleaned," Paul said.Paul said a meeting will be held on Saturday. "Officials have been asked to bring the land records to identify the places where there are ponds to work out the plan to use pipes from waterlogging-prone areas to flush out the excess water," the minister said. "We are urging citizens to segregate waste and not throw plastic waste anywhere," Paul added. The minister also visited a jeans manufacturing factory unit in the Mahisgote Chhata area. "The process emits a kind of acid which is being drained out into the canal, and is eventually being dumped into the Hooghly. There are special machines to filter these pollutants and the factory units have been directed to use them immediately," said Paul. Bidhannagar MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee on Tuesday held a meeting with officials of the BMC to take stock of the civic body's monsoon preparedness to prevent waterlogging in the area.