Mukundapur’s Monsoon Relief: New Drainage Pumping Station Nears Completion

Mukundapur to Combat Waterlogging with New Drainage Pumping Station

Mukundapur, a locality plagued by persistent waterlogging issues, is on the brink of a significant change. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has announced that a new drainage pumping station, designed to alleviate the area’s flooding woes, is set to become operational within weeks.

The project, which commenced in January 2022 with a two-year completion timeline, faced delays despite engineers’ aspirations to beat the deadline. The station’s strategic location near several private hospitals is crucial, as it addresses the monsoon season’s challenges that affect thousands of patients and visitors daily. The new system promises an end to the days of navigating waterlogged streets or paying exorbitant fares for short commutes.

With an investment exceeding Rs 160 crore, the project encompasses not just the pumping station but also the installation of underground drainage lines stretching over 6.7 kilometers. This initiative is part of the broader Kolkata Environmental Improvement Investment Program (KEIIP), backed by the Asian Development Bank and overseen by the KMC.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by the experiences of healthcare facilities like Manipal Hospitals, Mukundapur (formerly AMRI Hospitals, Mukundapur), where water ingress into basements has been a recurrent problem. Residents too have voiced concerns over flooded parking lots and lift wells in their apartment complexes.

The new drainage system, a hybrid of open drains and upgraded underground sewer lines with increased capacity, hinges on the pumping station’s functionality. “The station will receive water through the new conduits and employ high-powered pumps to channel the water into a canal, effectively removing it from the city,” explained a KMC engineer.

The project’s delay can be attributed to the need to fill part of a pond for the station’s construction, necessitating the creation of a new pond nearby to compensate for the environmental impact.

As the final touches are being put in place, with pumps installed and power connections secured, Mukundapur’s residents and visitors can look forward to a monsoon season free from the disruptions of the past. The KMC’s commitment to this project reflects a proactive approach to urban infrastructure challenges, promising a drier, more accessible future for one of Kolkata’s key localities.