Kolkata: The state govt would prepare an SOP to clear encroachments from both sides of an 8-km-long stretch of the Kestopur canal, Bidhannagar MLA Sharadwat Mukherjee said after a meeting at Poura Bhavan on Thursday.Pointing out that over 70% of the stretch was encroached upon, Mukherjee said, “An SOP on how to clear the encroachers from the banks of the canal will be prepared.”The encroachments have reportedly blocked drainage outfalls and narrowed the canal, preventing excess storm water from flowing into the water body, leading to waterlogging in large parts of Salt Lake, including Sector V. Mukherjee said the canal also needed thorough dredging. “An expert agency’s opinion will be sought on proper dredging of the canal,” he said.Officials said the dwelling units had existed on the area for years. He added that the plan would create a systematic process to relocate the residents and free up the canal banks. “Kestopur and Bagjola canals act as important drainage outlet channels for large parts of Salt Lake, New Town and Rajarhat-Gopalpur during heavy rain. The irrigation department will prepare the SOP on how to clear the encroachments,” a govt official said.BMC and the irrigation department earlier inspected the stretch from Kestopur to Rajarhat to assess the encroachments and the identity of the dwellers.
