Kolkata: The proposal for
construction
of an
underground water reservoir
and a
booster pumping station
at Marcus Square near College Street— which will benefit large parts of central Kolkata—was passed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) House on Monday. With the go-ahead, the civic body is now set to take up the construction of the facility that will serve as an alternative to the century-old reservoir at Mohammed Ali Park.
The proposed pumping station—having the capacity to store and supply four million gallons of potable water—will cater to the residents in large parts of central Kolkata, including College Street, Bowbazar, Chittaranjan Avenue, Jorasanko, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kesab Sen Street, Amherst Street, among other areas.
After completion of project,the department will conduct a health check-up of the existing reservoir at Mohammed Ali Park.
In 2019, the sidewall of the British-era reservoir had collapsed. Based on the outcome of the health check-up, the KMC will take a final call on whether to dismantle the old facility or restore it for supplying more water to large pockets of central and north Kolkata.
Earlier, structural engineers had recommended either complete dismantling or overhaul of the old reservoir.
“After obtaining necessary clearances, we will issue a work order for the new project,” said a KMC water supply department official, adding the proposed facility will be built in two years.
According to sources in the department, the KMC wants to speed up the construction process for the new booster pumping station, anticipating further deterioration of the old facility.
Till this new pumping station comes up, Mohammed Ali Park will remain out of bounds for public gatherings, including Durga Puja,said a KMC official. Back in 2019, major cracks were detected on the reservoir. A team of experts was roped in from Jadavpur University (JU) for conducting an in-depth study of the structural stability of the reservoir.
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