West Bengal Launches Drone Survey to Tackle Hooghly River Pollution
For the first time, authorities in West Bengal are taking to the skies to fight river pollution. The State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG) is launching a drone-based survey along the Hooghly river. This initiative aims to map all outfalls and drains that discharge wastewater into the river.
Survey Details and Objectives
The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) is providing technical support for this project. The survey will cover a stretch of about 120 kilometers along both banks of the Hooghly. It starts from Kalyani in Nadia district and extends to Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas.
Officials state the primary goal is to ensure no drain releasing wastewater into the Hooghly remains untreated. A KMDA official explained, "This exercise will help us prepare future wastewater treatment projects. It will also allow us to explore connecting identified drains with existing sewerage treatment plants."
Advanced Technology and Coverage Area
The survey will employ advanced drone techniques to achieve comprehensive mapping. It will cover a width of approximately 100 meters along both riverbanks. This includes 80 meters of terrestrial area and 20 meters of aquatic area.
An agency will be engaged to identify all outfall drains discharging into the Hooghly. Using drones, they will record each drain's latitude, longitude, and cross-sectional dimensions. This data will create a detailed map of pollution sources.
Integration with Existing Data
The newly identified drains will be superimposed with those already documented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Additionally, the survey will capture drains not previously covered by CPCB records.
An official noted, "KMDA will provide a list of around 400 drains. These will be overlaid with the outfalls found through the drone survey." This method marks a significant upgrade from past physical surveys conducted along the riverside.
Future Plans for Wastewater Management
Once mapping is complete, authorities can develop plans for effective reuse of treated wastewater. An official highlighted potential uses, saying, "Wastewater is currently entering the Hooghly river. We could plan to use it for pisciculture, gardening, or road washing purposes."
KMDA officials are also working on setting up new sewerage treatment plants in riverside areas. The ultimate aim is to fully prevent any sewerage or drainage water from falling into the river.
Long-Term Master Plan
The authorities plan to create a master plan for pollution abatement in the Ganga and its tributary basin within the Kolkata Metropolitan Area. This plan will focus on the projected population for 2042.
Key areas of emphasis include:
- Liquid waste management
- Interception and diversion of sewerage network connections
- Bridging the gap in sewage and septage treatment capacity around river-centric cities and towns
This comprehensive approach aims to ensure the long-term health of the Hooghly river and support sustainable urban development.
