Kolkata Municipal Corporation has completed the rehabilitation and cleaning of a nearly century-old, 2.2-kilometre brick sewer line beneath B.B. Ganguly Street, a project expected to improve drainage and reduce recurring waterlogging in Bowbazar and adjoining areas of central Kolkata.
The sewer line serves Bowbazar and areas near Lalbazar, where heavy rain has frequently led to water accumulation during the monsoon. The completed work is intended to allow a larger volume of rainwater to pass through the underground network without obstruction.
The KMC’s Planning and Development department was assigned responsibility for upgrading the line in August last year, after severe waterlogging was reported in Bowbazar during the previous monsoon. The work began around a year ago and was completed ahead of the scheduled deadline, according to civic officials cited by Sanmarg.
A survey of the underground sewer found substantial silt accumulation as well as sections that had suffered serious damage. The condition of the line had reduced its effective drainage capacity and contributed to the risk of water backing up during intense rainfall.
For the cleaning and restoration work, the civic body used jetting and section machines, along with compact bucket desilting equipment. Officials said the machinery enabled workers to operate within the narrow and busy B.B. Ganguly Street without disrupting daytime traffic. The approach allowed the work to be carried out underground while keeping the road operational.
The removal of accumulated silt is expected to improve the flow capacity of the old sewer line. However, the practical impact will be assessed during the next period of heavy rainfall, when the drainage network faces its highest demand. The project addresses one major underground bottleneck, but the performance of the wider drainage system will also influence how quickly water clears from streets in the area.
Residents have welcomed the civic intervention and expressed hope that the restored sewer will provide relief during the coming monsoon. They said the possibility of waterlogging had remained a recurring concern before every rainy season, affecting routine movement and daily life in the neighbourhood.
The completed upgrade is therefore focused not on creating a new drainage corridor, but on recovering the capacity of existing urban infrastructure. Its outcome will depend on whether the rehabilitated line can handle monsoon flows and reduce water accumulation in Bowbazar and the areas adjoining Lalbazar. The next key test will come with the season’s heavy rainfall.
