Is there a rescue from nightmarish waterlogging taking shape? Going by reports, there is. In fact, there ‘are’. We’ve for long heard that Kolkata’s sewerage – a prized possession from the British era – can no longer afford to bear the combined might of millions whose inevitable left-overs make way through it. Since very little has been done over the decades to check the health of sewers, much of those left-overs have become rock solid, so much so that no amount of ‘cajoling’ could dislodge them.
Which of course meant that Kolkata’s streets would resemble watery canals every now and then during monsoon. Will a happening city with gradually-opening arms for investments be down with sewerage woes? No way, roared the rulers-that-be.
And so, making way to the nation’s capital, our mayor has delivered the first part of a prolonged promise. Funds have been tied up (the most important), and plan of action is ready (the second most important). It’ll be a 402-crore affair, and after this there is a distant lure of 5000-crore for even more facelift.
Guess what? All these that are today’s plans should have happened eons back. It’s a long time waking. Does it feel a cozy future awaits us? Wait and see.
Inspection of brick sewer in Newark, New Jersey, US [Picture source]
It is said that tree roots through cracks are a major source of sewer blockades. When the filth flows, the roots trap fats around them, which over time lead to permanent blockage.
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