Howrah Division resolves long-standing drainage woes at Rani Jheel, Bamangachi

The Engineering Department of Howrah Division has taken a major step forward in addressing the perennial waterlogging issue in the Bamangachi area by launching an intensive improvement project at Rani Jheel — a key water body in the locality. Rani Jheel has long suffered from chronic water overflow during monsoon seasons, leading to serious waterlogging in the Howrah Car shed and nearby railway and residential areas. The situation used to further worsen with the inward flow of accumulated water from adjacent civil areas to Rani Jheel waterbody. The primary causes of this recurring problem include waste accumulation along the banks, unauthorised encroachments, and blocked drainage channels that prevent smooth water flow into the Ganges.

Aiming at the beautification and restoration of Rani Jheel, the Engineering Department floated a comprehensive tender for the desilting of Rani Jheel and improvement of all associated drains and waterways, particularly from Bridge No. 1 to 6, near the area.

The project, now well underway, has already seen several key milestones:

• Complete removal of water hyacinth to improve surface flow.

• Desilting up to a depth of 6 feet to increase the catchment water-carrying capacity.

• Thorough cleaning of drainage systems, including all bridge waterways, to ensure unobstructed water discharge.

• Proper disposal of muck and silt collected from the pond area to designated dumping sites.

• Eradication of unauthorised encroachments around the banks to prevent future choking of the drainage outlet.

These efforts have already brought substantial improvements to the local drainage network and are expected to offer a permanent solution to the waterlogging issue in the area.

In addition, the Engineering Department has proposed a beautification plan for Rani Jheel to transform it into a user-friendly and eco-conscious environment, aligning with the broader vision of sustainable and citizen-centric urban development.

Team Maverick