Source : The Business Line Date : 30.05.2009
Upgradation of drainage, sewerage systems in Kolkata may cost Rs 20,000 cr
Our Bureau
Kolkata, May 29
The work on improving the drainage and sewerage systems in Kolkata may cost around Rs 20,000 crore, though in phases, according to Mr Alapan Bandopadhyay, Commissioner, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC).
Loan awaited
Addressing an interactive session, organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce
here on Friday, Mr Bandopadhyay said, “We have already mobilised Rs 2,500 crore and an additional Rs 2,500 crore of loan is awaited from the Asian Development Bank.”
Aila effect
The loan, to be used for funding the Kolkata Improvement Project, was expected shortly, he observed.
The city’s drainage system was virtually crippled and parts of the city were waterlogged for long after the cyclone Aila had hit the state on Monday.
Difficulties
“While it is difficult to formulate a mechanism to protect from such a disaster, we certainly need to upgrade our disaster management apparatus,” he said adding that the electricity and water supply had already been restored in most areas.
Nearly 1,500 trees in the city were uprooted , he added.
Last year, KMC earned Rs 1,000 crore by way of lease rental from land for commercial use, Mr Bandopadhyay said.
He added that it had a fixed deposit of Rs 1,200 crore in banks as on date.
