Kolkata: Keeping in view the ‘Jol Dhars’ of the state government Jol BharosaThe Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority) plans to collect rainwater, which can be used to artificially recharge the depleting groundwater level in and around the city.KMDA), with the help of a Mumbai-based agency, is preparing a plan to collect storm water to recharge groundwater levels on a five-kilometre stretch. EM Bypass Ultadanga to Chingrighata.
KMDA officials said that this is the first such rainwater harvesting and artificial groundwater recharge scheme that is being considered for EM Bypass and its adjoining areas. “At present, there is no storm water discharge point between the eastern drainage channel at Chingrighata and the circular canal at Ultadanga. The storm water accumulated on this five-kilometre long bypass section is now diverted to those canals through a drainage network system. There are plans to make it underground to capture storm water and wasted surface water that accumulates on this stretch and recharge groundwater, an official said.
Officials said that the accumulated storm water would be captured and released through dedicated lines. “Water will pass through a filter medium before it is channeled into groundwater at a level where it can be recharged. This would be the reverse process of the way groundwater is pulled up to be filtered. Not only can excess storm water be properly utilized and discharged to prevent waterlogging, but groundwater will also be recharged. The planning agency is also giving suggestions for overall up-gradation of the drainage network system of the bypass,” said a KMDA official.
Experts say that if it is executed properly, then it will be a very good initiative. “If groundwater can be recharged, it is a very welcome step,” he said. It should recharge the underground water aquifer which is getting depleted,” said asis majumdarProfessor of Water Resources Engineering at Jadavpur University.
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