KMC expedites Garden Reach water supply project

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) have joined hands to overhaul the water supply system in south Kolkata and three municipal areas bordering Garden Reach.

When complete, the project will end water woes in areas like Garden Reach, Kalighat, Behala, Tollygunge, Jadavpur and Mahestala, Pujali and Budge Budge municipalities. Though it involves huge investment, Mayor Sovan Chatterjee is determined to complete it by the end of this year.

Sovan Chatterjee has proposed to lay four dedicated water lines. After completion of the process, these pipes will ensure more water for residents once the augmentation of the Garden Reach plant is complete. These lines will be laid for Behala, Garden Reach, Pujali and Maheshtala.

The Mayor on Monday held a meeting with municipal affairs minister Firhad Hakim and officials of KMDA, KMC and the land department. He has asked municipal commissioner Khalil Ahmed to wrap up the ongoing project at Garden Reach by October 31.

The new plant with a capacity of supplying 50 million gallon water will greatly solve the water scarcity in south Kolkata.

Water supply top priority: Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee

Sovan Chatterjee, who is set to take oath as mayor for the second time, came to office early on Wednesday and held a series of meetings with KMDA and KMC officials on the future course of action.

Excerpts of his plans regarding KMC’s work in the next five years:

 

Q. What are your plans for the next five years?

Mayor: This time I will concentrate on sustainable development of the city. I will try to do an all round development of the city.

 

Q: Tell us some areas where you want to bring about a marked change?

Mayor: Supply of drinking water is an area where we need to improve upon in a big way. We have undertaken a major augmentation project to make potable water reach every household. Right now we have decided to inaugurate a 50 million gallon water treatment plant at Garden Reach, which is nearing completion. Out of this treatment plant, we aim to supply 10-12 million gallons of water to areas of three municipalities Budge Budge, Pujali and Maheshtala.

We will then take up construction of another treatment plant at Garden Reach. Besides, the capacity of Palta waterworks and Dhapa water treatment plant will also undergo an augmentation programme. The aim is to discourage installation of tube wells as a source of drinking water.

 

Q: Besides water supply what will be the other focus areas?

Mayor: There are many. We have successfully installed 43 garbage compactor stations across the city to phase out vats, which would make the city dirty.
Now we intend to extend the service to places where large vats still exist. We are in the process of finding land for setting up such compactor stations. In the next five years, we will take the number from 43 to 100.

This apart, we have planned to install 1,000 trash bins of different sizes to take care of waste from the different markets.

 

Q: What about your plans for the beautification of the riverfront?

Mayor: We have decided to continue with the riverfront beautification. The successful implementation of the beautification project along the Hooghly till Jagganath Ghat will be extended up to Mayer Ghat and then further. We have appealed to the Centre to release funds for this.

 

Q. What will be the policy as far as determining property tax is concerned. Will you continue with the old method or introduce unit area assessment?

Mayor: We want to simplify the method of calculating property tax. While the present system of rental basis of calculating property tax will not be discarded, those who want to determine the tax based on unit area method will also be welcome. We want to keep the two systems alive.

 

Q: How will you undertake administrative reforms?

Mayor: We are duty bound to give a transparent civic administration to the citizens. It is our responsibility to ensure that nobody gets harassed while they seek services at our office counters.

 

Q: What will be your policy on hawkers?

Mayor: We have adopted a hawker policy in which we have stressed on pedestrians’ rights and ensured the livelihood of the hawkers.

Where is TMC’s opposition -­ Left parties are gas balloons, BJP plays Draupadi: Sovan Chatterjee

We have reproduced an interview of Sovan Chatterjee with The Times of India as published on April 17, 2015

Trinamool Congress leader Sovan Chatterjee has been heading Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) as the city’s mayor since 2010. Chatterjee, who hasn’t lost an election since 1985, faces another civic poll on April 18. Speaking with The Times of India, the mayor discussed Kolkata’s development, allegations of corruption by opposition ­ and why he thinks BJP prefers playing Draupadi over developing political maturity.

 

Q: Critics often call Kolkata a decrepit city. What’s your view?

Mayor: Well, that used to be the perception about Kolkata once upon a time ­ but no longer.

In the last three to four years, people coming to Kolkata have said the city has changed a lot. It doesn’t look shabby any more. The city is much cleaner, roads are better, streets are well-lit, the riverfront has been developed and looks beautiful. Civic amenities have improved.

When I took over as mayor of Kolkata, my chief Mamata Banerjee said she didn’t want to listen to any excuses about funds or space crunch. In the last five years of our stint, we’ve tried our best to develop the city holistically ­ but Kolkata is a 300-year-old city with problems that come with age. So, more work remains to be done.

 

Q: But isn’t the opposition alleging corruption against the outgoing KMC?

Mayor: Is anybody alleging lack of development in the last five years? No.

The development work we undertook in the last five years is my trump card for this election. In the last 30 years, the Left Front ruled KMC for about 20 years. They did not do anything to increase water supply to the city by even one gallon ­ in the last five years, we ensured drinking water supply to 95% of the city.

Earlier, large swathes of Kolkata would be waterlogged for three to four days during rains. Now, the water’s cleared in two to three hours. Another crucial achievement is removal of garbage dumps and replacing them with compactor garbage disposal machines, possibly a first in Asia. This was done with financial help from the West Bengal government. We aim to make Kolkata free of visible garbage dumps soon.

Mind you, before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, UPA government had approved several projects, including garbage compactors and JNNURM. UPA also sanctioned funds ­ but BJP cancelled all allocations after coming to power.

However, that could not impact Kolkata’s development. People have seen how the city has improved.

Since the opposition can’t find fault with our work, they’re making baseless allegations ­ it’s like give the dog a bad name and hang it.

 

Q: Who’s your main opposition in the civic polls?

Mayor: Where is the opposition? I’m still searching for them. CPM and Left parties need to mould their politics so it appeals to people ­ just being a gas balloon doesn’t help.

BJP’s in a hurry to grab the driver’s seat. Mama ta Banerjee had to wait for years before she got experienced drivers to steer Trinamool Congress to power. Our men were killed in Left Front’s regime ­ but Trinamool workers didn’t run away.

BJP lacks workers and their leadership loves talking ­ it’s easy to be a Draupadi in a political drama but political maturity is difficult to attain.

Municipal Elections 2015 – Trinamool’s 360 degrees of communication

Trinamool Congress believes in 360-degree campaigning for any election, instead of relying on any particular mode of communication. For the upcoming municipal elections, the party has been reaching out to the people using all forms of campaign methods – right from the traditional wall graffiti to connecting with voters online.

 

Door-to-door campaign

Candidates in all 144 wards of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and in every municipality of the State are travelling door to door to reach out to people.

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A candidate in Kolkata talking to people

 

Road Shows

AITC MPs and MLAs are participating in campaigning along with candidates of the locality through road shows.

sudip campaign

Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Nayana Bandyopadhyay at a road show

Road Show

Innovative road show by a candidate

 

Padayatra

Padayatras are being taken out covering localities to convey the party’s message to the people.

Gautam Deb at Siliguri

A padayatra in Siliguri being attended by Gautam Deb

 

Street Corner Meetings

The candidates along with national level leaders from the party are holding street corner meetings to spread the message of development.

Street corner meeting

Chief Whip in WB Assembly, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay at a street corner meeting in South Kolkata

 

Wall Graffiti

Wall Graffiti with the names of the candidates are displayed prominently in various wards after taking permission of the owner of the houses.

Dewal Likhon

Wall graphitti in Behala

 

Banners and hoardings

Banners highlighting the achievements of KMC and other municipalities are displayed throughout the cities and towns.

KMC Banner

A banner in north Kolkata

 

Manifesto and Pamphlets

Manifesto and pamphlets outlining achievements of KMC and other municipal boards are being distributed by the candidates themselves during door to door campaigning.

AITC Manifesto Front Cover

The Manifetso of the party

 

Digital Media

AITC has a strong presence in digital media. The party is using all mediums available online to spread the message of development and connect with voters.

social media campaign

Developments in Kolkata by KMC in synergy with State Government

Keeping pace with the tide of development ushered by the State Government, Kolkata Municipal Corporation has also been engaged in development of the city. During the last five years, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation has created history through its planning and execution of work.

Below are a few significant developments:

Health insurance:

Health insurance for residents of Kolkata belonging to BPL category has been rolled out. This scheme is a first of its kind in India and a model for all to emulate. Health security for the poor is one of the key responsibilities of KMC.

Under this scheme, during the year 2013-14, nearly 4 lakh people received Health Insurance Cards. Under the National Family Security Scheme, 3,399 families have benefited during 2013-14. At present, the amount allocated is Rs 40,000 per family.

Pension scheme:

The number of beneficiaries under the Indira Gandhi National Pension Scheme is more than 13 thousand. More than 27 thousand people have received assistance under the National Old Age Pension Scheme.

Employment and training:

Under the scheme Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana, 40,000 people have been trained since 2010. Modern courses like computer training, driving training, television repairing, and beautician courses have been introduced. Post training, tool kits have been distributed to around 8,000 people. 1,000 poor people in every ward have benefited from this employment and training scheme. Nearly, 1.5 lakh people have been receiving benefits of this employment scheme.

Night shelters:

For the first time, ‘night shelters’ have been set up for those without homes and clothes have been distributed during the festive season of Eid and Durga Puja.

KMC Election 2015 Campaign: Borough XIII and XIV

Members of AITC Digital Desk took a sneak peek at the campaigns for the Kolkata Municipal Election, 2015, by All Indian Trinamool Congress at Ward No.s 119, 120, 131 and 132 in Behala. Enthusiasm derived from massive developmental works have been a driving force of the campaign here, we found out.

Ward No: 119 –
AITC candidate Asoka Mondal

The Ward lies bounded by the south of New Alipore Block-K in the north, Roy Bahadur and AC. Roy Road in the south, Joy Krishna Paul Road, Sahapur Main Road and Barikpara Road in the east and Diamond Harbour Road in the west.

Ashoka Mondal is a household name in the Ward No 119. We found her planning for the next move in her office in Ward No 119. A councilor for many times, Ashokadi is well aware of each corner of her ward.

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Asoka Mondal at campaign office in Ward No 119

Numerous graffiti and AITC flags boast support to the hardworking councilor at every step.

Door-to-door campaign is almost finished, said Ashokadi and the response had been overwhelming. The past five years have been busy as there were loads of developmental works to be done.

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Renovated Health Unit of Ward No 119

Ward No 119 has seen new health centres under KMC planned, public toilets built, the inner streets and the drinking water supply revamped and each locality cleaned daily. Health and sanitation has been give priority here in this ward.

Ward No: 120 –
AITC candidate Susanta Ghosh

The Ward lies bounded by the Roy Bahadur A.C. Roy Road in the north, Bhupen Roy Road in the south, Bamacharan Roy Road in the east and Diamond Harbour Road in the west.

Sushanta Ghosh, the AITC candidate was in a jovial mood, chatting with the party activists in the office of the Ward No 120 at Roy Bahadur Road. Door-to-door campaign has been completed a week ago, now we are holding street corner meetings and may hold a big procession. The people know their councilor and are well aware that he is always available in their thick and thin, that is the image of Sushantada in Ward No 120.

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Sushanta Ghosh at his campaign office in Ward No 120

Ward No 120 has seen huge developmental works under Sushantada. Cleanliness and sanity has been a prime issue. Even the auto stands in the areas now have latrines for their usage. Parks are well maintained.

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Campaign banner of Sushanta Ghosh in Ward No 119

There was a demand from the locals people to maintain the elevation of the roads, said Sushantada. After repeated patchworks, the level of the road at many places, had risen above the level of some houses. To solve this, certain roads were fully dug and relayed during the last five years, Sushantada said.

Ward No: 131 –
AITC candidate Sovan Chatterjee

The Ward lies bounded by Upendranath Banerjee Road and Bonomali Naskar Road in the north, Jingira Khal, Pallishri, Maharani Indiradebi Road and Netaji Subhas Road in the south, Diamond Harbour Road and Kshudiram Bose Sarani in the east and Jingira Khal in the west.

Sovan Chatterjee’s office at Parnashree was crowded. The mayoral candidate has led a huge procession early in the morning and the turnout had been huge. That was the main point of discussion there.

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Graffiti of Sovan Chatterjee in Ward No 131

Throughout the last five years, development work has been done in all the wards under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Sovan da said. From ward number 1 to 144, a lot of work has been happening in every department including roads, lighting, parks, health, drainage and drinking water. Therefore, there is no need to take preparations for the elections separately. Work has been done for the common man and they will vote in favour of us, told a confidant Sovan da.

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Campaign car with AITC symbol in Ward 131

The area around Parnashree now has an aura of pride that evolves from the numerous developmental works.

Ward No: 132 –

AITC candidate Sanchita Mitra

The Ward lies bounded by the Canal in the north, Upendranath Banerjee Road, Bonomali Naskar Road in the south, Diamond Harbour Road in the east and the junction of Upendranath Banerjee Road and the Canal in the west.

Ward No 132 houses the two most important landmarks of the Parnashree Palli – the Parnashree Bus Stand and the Parnashree Lake.  Under KMC, the bust stand has been renovated and modernized providing great utility the commuters.

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Graffiti of Sanchita Mitra in Ward No 132

The Parnashree Lake, which used to be an ill-maintained water body, is now a matter of pride to the locals. Beautifully decorated, guarded and lit up, the Lake adds a feather to the beautification works made by KMC. Water supply has also been revamped in the area besides cleaning the neighborhood twice a day.

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Renovated Parnashree Lake, Behala

KMC leads in development of minorities

If the performance of the 193 odd municipal corporations in India is compared with respect to the welfare of minorities, Kolkata Municipal Corporation will undoubtedly be the best among all.

Several initiatives have been taken up for the people belonging to minority communities residing in Kolkata. A lot of progress has been made in different sectors like education, health, employment and infrastructure.

In the last five years, 23 Urdu medium schools, 26 ward health units, 55 new anganwadi centres have been set up. 86 deep tube wells have been constructed. 33 organisations belonging to minority communities have been supplied with computers, printers and scanners.

Under the Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana, 40,000 people have been trained since 2010. Twenty five per cent of the trainees belonged to the minority communities.

All the Muslim and Christian burial grounds, which were lying neglected for several years, have been renovated and developed.

KMC achieves historic success on Property Tax initiatives

Kolkata Municipal Corporation under the leadership of Mayor Sovan Chatterjee has decreased the property tax rates for the poor slum dwellers, middle class and lower middle class income group. Legal actions have been taken against those who have been avoiding taxes. Administrative reforms, easier tax payment procedures have helped KMC to significantly increase the revenue from property tax.

In the last five years Kolkata Municipal Corporation has taken a number of effective steps to give tax reliefs to slum dwellers, middle class and lower middle class.

Between fiscal year 2005-2006 and 2009-2010, the property tax earned was Rs 1605.67 crore. In the tenure of the present Kolkata Municipal Board the property tax collected has been Rs 3291.74 crore, out of which Rs 340 crore was earned due to the waiver scheme.

 

Property Tax collected by KMC

 

Other significant steps include:

  • Certificates to thika Tenants: Kolkata Municipal Corporation along with Government of West Bengal jointly has for the first time taken steps to provide certificates to thika tenants. If the certificate is in the name of the thika tenants, then it will be very easy to make mutation and take necessary permissions for reconstruction, renovation and re-modelling.
  • Waiving of Interest: For economically backward section who have failed to comply with taxes and interest and penalties, due to financial reasons a waiver up to 50% of the interest is provided.
  • E-Governance: Various administrative steps have been taken to make tax payments easier. Citizens can visit the KMC website and check the tax due, pay taxes, download forms.
  • Mutation: In the last five years various mutation camps have been organised for faster mutations. Apart from this, in various unit offices, ‘one visit mutation counters’ have also been opened. More than 5 lakh mutations have been given in the last five years.

 

 

Free health check-ups for all: KMC initiative provides free medical services

Kolkata Municipal Corporation under the guidance of Ms Mamata Banerjee has taken several initiatives to set up free health clinics at various locations for the residents of Kolkata.

The clinics that are run by KMC offers different types of check-up facilities like malaria tests, chest examinations, anti-rabies vaccination and routine immunization.

KMC at present has 140 clinics at various wards. KMC has set up malaria clinic at Narkeldanga, Ballygunge Phari, Vivekananda Park and Jadavpur. These clinics will conduct free blood tests and free treatment.

KMC runs free health camps for economically challenged sections and for slum dwellers in Kolkata. Free checks and treatments are done in those camps.

KMC is also setting up chest clinics. One such clinic has already been set up at Tollygunge.

KMC has set up several anti-rabies clinics at different locations.

Initiatives taken by KMC for the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases

Kolkata Municipal Corporation has taken various steps to control mosquito borne deceases. The deaths due to malaria have come down to zero in the last few years. The initiatives have received international mention is Oxford journals.

In a study conducted, it has shown that  for February, the peak month for mosquito breeding, densities for egg rafts, larvae, pupae and adults, respectively, declined from 800, 2942, 1457 and 662 to 3, 75, 15 and 27.

Steps taken by the KMC:

  • Identifying the high risk area: Based on the data for last 3 years, 52 wards were identified as high risk areas
  • Joint drive for source reduction: KMC with other government departments like water supply, building, drainage and solid waste management took weekly joint drives for the period of peak malaria transmission. It was effective in destroying the mosquito breeding sites
  • Organising health camps and malaria clinics: Health camps adjoining to the slum areas were undertaken every year
  • Larvicidal spray: Larvicidal spray was done in door to door basis for all KMC wards. More than 1300 people are employed for the purpose, who carried the work all round the year
  • Plying speed boats along the canals: KMC has taken an initiative to ply speed boats along the canals and treat the canals with larvicidal spray to stop the breeding of mosquitoes. Speed boat generated waves were also very effective in preventing breeding of mosquitoes
  • Use of larvivorous fish: Efforts to destroy mosquito by using guppy fish were taken. To ensure availability, in house production of guppy fish was made in hatcheries
  • Mosquito research laboratory: Trinamool after coming to power in 2010, did set up the first-of-its kind laboratory in eastern India. Facilities were made for entomologists to undertake research and multiple research papers from the Institute  were published in journals of international repute
  • Early diagnosis and complete treatment (EDCT): EDCT is one of the key strategies of the National Malaria Control Programme. KMC has set up 140 malaria clinics across the city, and suspected cases of malaria were treated in accordance with the National Drug Policy
  • Awareness programme through TV, Radio, leaflets, using mobile vans: High voltage mass awareness programme were launched by KMC. From audio CD, to television advertisements, to leaflets, to mobile vans to tabloids, KMC has taken a host of initiatives for creating awareness