Sewer Renovations Beneath BB Ganguly Street
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has launched a major desilting and rehabilitation project for the historic brick sewer under BB Ganguly Street.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), clearly not one to shy away from a mucky challenge, has decided to tackle a job that’s been festering under our feet for over a century — the brick sewer line under BB Ganguly Street. Yes, that ancient marvel of Victorian engineering is getting a long-overdue spa day, complete with a full cleanse and a bit of structural Botox.
Time for a Clean Sweep (Quite Literally)
Running 2.7 kilometres from the GPO to the Sealdah flyover, this subterranean dinosaur is part of Calcutta’s Victorian-era charm — albeit the damp, smelly kind. Built between 1878 and 1888, it’s been faithfully swallowing both sewage and rainwater from central Calcutta with very little thanks and even less maintenance. Think of it as the unsung hero of the underworld (no, not that underworld).
Now, however, it’s throwing a proper tantrum. According to KMC officials, several sections are so clogged with silt that you’d struggle to squeeze a cockroach through, let alone sewage. In some unlucky spots, bits of the brickwork have collapsed altogether, causing the kind of structural headache that would have even the ghosts of British engineers reaching for a stiff gin and tonic.
“Significant blockages,” said a KMC official with the sort of understatement that implies things are teetering on the edge of catastrophe. “Both the accumulated silt and structural failures are preventing proper drainage.” Translation: the whole thing’s gone pear-shaped.
The Two-Pronged Attack: Desilt and Reinforce
So what’s the plan? First, a thorough desilting of the lot — not for the faint-hearted, this involves actual humans entering the egg-shaped tunnels. Then comes the installation of polymer jackets inside the brickwork — a modern touch to an old problem, rather like fitting a top hat with a crash helmet.
This makeover is expected to take three years — just enough time for us to forget it was happening until we hit the next monsoon and find our ankles deep in nostalgia.
A Bit of Background (for Sewer Enthusiasts and Trivia Buffs Alike)
For those who enjoy a bit of old-school plumbing history, Calcutta’s sewer system is no bog-standard affair. Built during the Raj with all the drama of a Dickens novel, the system includes 88 kilometres of “man-entry” brick sewers — meaning they’re large enough for a chap (or lass) to stroll down with a torch and a long-suffering expression.
The BB Ganguly sewer is particularly grand, with its egg-shaped design meant to efficiently handle variable flow — sewage by day, rainwater by deluge. Some bits are roomy enough to host a small tea party, others barely big enough for a mouse to squeeze through in a cravat.
Expected Benefits: Less Wading, More Walking
Once this mammoth task is complete, residents in seven central wards — 43, 44, and 47 through 51 — can expect a future with fewer floating sandals and more walkable streets. Areas such as MG Road, College Square, Bowbazar, and Koley Market have long been prone to impromptu canals every time it drizzles.
Councillor Monalisa Banerjee of Ward 49 is hopeful: “There are pockets in my ward that get inundated during monsoon. I hope once the brick sewers are desilted, the water will drain out faster.” Here’s to fewer soggy commutes and less ankle-deep despair.
But Wait, There’s More…
This is just the tip of the sewer iceberg. The KMC has already tackled 60km of major roads 16 years ago — including the likes of AJC Bose Road and Lenin Sarani — and now plans to turn its attention to other soon-to-be-freshened-up arteries like Elliot Road, Royd Street, and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road.
In fact, there’s already a tender out to desilt the brick sewer from Moulali crossing to the Palmer Bazar pumping station. It’s a veritable underground renaissance, complete with tenders, jackets, and the odd rat eviction.
In Conclusion: From Grit to Glory
So there you have it — Calcutta’s bowels are getting a long-overdue clean-up. It might not be glamorous, it might not make the postcards, but it’s jolly well necessary. As they say, cleanliness is next to godliness — and in this case, somewhere between the GPO and Sealdah.
Let’s raise a cuppa to the unsung heroes in hard hats and wellies, braving the underground mire so we don’t have to wade through it.
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