Kolkata: Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Tuesday threw open a park in Bhatikhana near New Alipore, much of which had been encroached and used as a waste-dumping ground even a year ago.The park has a badminton court, a basketball court, open spaces and a restored waterbody. KMC officials said when they started work at the site a year ago, the pond had almost dried up.“There were piles of waste strewn across the park. The waterbody was almost dead. No one even dreamt about coming to the plot or near it,” a KMC official said.The vacant space – spread over 12.7 cottah – was converted over the last 12 months. The restoration, including building the infrastructure and rejuvenating the waterbody, was done with funds from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The waterbody alone is spread across 4.9 cottah, said the official.KMC has received Rs 500 crore from NDMA for a slew of flood mitigation projects in the city.KMC sources said though the project will serve many purposes, one of its top objectives was to increase floodwater retention capacity. Waterbodies serve as natural drainage channels, and they can hold a large volume of water during rain. Experts blame rampant destruction of waterbodies as a top reason why Indian cities are flooded every monsoon. “Kolkata is no different. We have now realised the impact of filling up the waterbodies and hence there is a need to restore and reclaim whatever is left. A waterbody can retain large volume of rain water and prevent flooding,” said a KMC official.The civic body has already restored three waterbodies – at Dinesh Nagar in Jadavpur, Golf Green and Bhatikhana – with NDMA funds. Work is underway in three other waterbodies, two at Itkhola in Kudghat and one inside Ballygunge drainage pumping station.Sources said KMC had planned to turn the space into a hub of activity. “People can come here for their morning walk or evening stroll. Those interested in sports can play. There are seats for elderly people to come and spend some time,” said an official. “People can also sit on the steps around the waterbody and have a good time,” added the official.
