KMC to float tenders for water meters

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will float tenders for installation of water meters within the next 7-10 days, the Mayor, Mr Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, said here.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce, he said that the plan of implementing water tax through installation of water meters has been progressing steadily. “I have checked the tender document today and the tender will be floated in another 7-10 days,” he said.

The Asian Development Bank will be providing the funds for one lakh water meters through the Kolkata Environment Improvement Project. The KMC expects to collect Rs 4 crore-5 crore through water tax in the first year, he said.

The Mayor pointed out that a new building rule would be promulgated shortly which would make it mandatory for new buildings with a height of 13 m and more to have rain water-harvesting facilities. “We expect the new laws to be passed in 2-3 months,” he said.

The KMC has also under taken a project to build 9,000 houses at a Rs 141 crore in association with Mackintosh Burn for rehabilitation of slum dwellers under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. About 35 per cent of the project cost would be borne by the Centre, he said.

Work at Garden Reach and Kachharipara, near Dhapa, had already started, he added.