KOLKATA: As the city awaits the first heavy spell of rain this monsoon, the KMC drainage department has taken special measures to ensure that drainage pumping stations that flush out storm water from the city’s waterlogging-prone pockets do not falter on days when it pours. A KMC official said the pumps at Palmerbazar, Ballygunge, Mominpore, Belgachhia, Ultadanga and Chowbhaga have been serviced and checked to ensure they function properly when required, and departmental executive engineers have been asked to constantly monitor heavy-duty pump sets, particularly on days when there is heavy rain.
While Palmerbazar caters to large areas of north Kolkata, like APC Roy Road, CR Avenue, Beadon Street, Bidhan Sarani and Amherst Street, and several parts of central Kolkata, like SN Banerjee Road and Lenin Sarani, the Ballygunge drainage pumping station is responsible for flushing out storm water from pockets in south Kolkata, including Rashbehari Avenue, Gariahat Road, Ballygunge, SP Mukherjee Road. The Chowbhaga drainage pumping station caters to neighbourhoods around Park Circus and Bypass.
“Most of the pumps at these major drainage pumping stations are old. To ensure they break down on crucial days, we have undertaken preventive maintenance. We are also maintaining vigil on condition of pumps under maximum stress and taking measures before there is a breakdown,” said an official.
The civic officials will also need to ensure proper functioning of some other drainage pumping stations in Hrishikesh Park (Amherst Street), Jodhpur Park and Behala flying club.
The Hrishikesh Park pumping station was set up to flush out storm water from Thanthania, Muktarambabu Street and Amherst Street. However, its capacity couldn’t be fully utilized due to space constraints. “We can’t install more pumps here for want of space. But whatever pumps we have need to be fully utilized to give relief to residents of Amherst Street, Muktarambabu Street and Thanthania,” said an official.
Similarly, the focus will also be on Jodhpur Park and Behala flying club drainage pumping stations that cater to Jodhpur Park, Lake Gardens, Dhakuria and Behala Parnasree — known waterlogging-prone pockets in the south. According to an executive engineer, despite best efforts, one-third of the old, heavy duty pumps will need to be kept on standby to avoid overuse, which may lead to them breaking down during heavy rain.
