HMC initiates review to eliminate waterlogging menace
Kolkata: Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) has initiated a review to assess the work that still needs to be carried out for further improvement in the system to check waterlogging during monsoon.
It may be mentioned that the civic body has taken up proactive measures to ensure that residents of Howrah city do not face any problems due to waterlogging.
The proactive steps taken by the HMC include desiltation of major drainage channels, deployment of additional manpower for desiltation work, development of necessary infrastructure, functioning of pumping stations in full capacity, desiltation of canals including one in Nazirganj and cleaning of Ranijhil.
Top brass of the civic body held meetings with the railway authorities for cleaning of the Ranijhil.
With the steps taken by the HMC, the situation remained good compared to that of previous years, as water receded fast soon after a heavy shower in most areas and residents did not faced much problem due to waterlogging.
The situation has heavily improved in areas including North Howrah, where in many areas, waterlogging had been a problem for decades. There was also improvement in situation in areas including Bellilious Road and Dharmatala Road areas near Salkia, said a senior official of the HMC.
After the initial success in checking waterlogging in various parts of the city, the civic authorities have initiated reviewing the situation to identify the areas where necessary steps need to be taken to ensure that waterlogging becomes a matter of the past in Howrah city.
The official further said that the situation at Ghusuri near TL Jaiswal Hospital has considerably improved. "But we would review to find out whether any more steps are needed to be taken particularly for the area," the official said, adding that they are also reviewing the situation at Benaras Road and Panchanantala Road.
The officials would try to find out "solution of the complicated situations" that leading to waterlogging, though for much lesser time compared to the previous years, in these areas. "There would also be discussions with engineers in this regard," the official added.
Mayor Dr Rathin Chakraborty said: "We have taken up various steps and it has helped in checking waterlogging to a large extent. We also have some long-term plans as well. We are also reviewing the situation at present."
