The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is taking measures to ensure that every drainage pump remain functional during this monsoon season in order to prevent severe waterlogging, while the civic body intends to impose heavy penalty on a private firm that failed to reinstall the pumps after maintenance works.

The civic body is carrying out inspection drives to ensure all the drainage pumps remain functional throughout this season in order to avoid any waterlogging situation.

So far during this monsoon, several areas in the city have seen severe waterlogging, such as Behala, Khidderpore, Mominpur and several others. It was learnt that several drainage pumps that were sent for maintenance work to a private firm has not yet been re-installed by them.

Mr Tarak Singh, member mayor-in-council (MMIC), drainage and sewerage, recently went on an inspection drive in Behala and discovered that two of the drainage pumps that were sent for repair works have not been reinstalled. The KMC has decided to impose a heavy penalty against the private firm.

Speaking on the subject, Mr Singh said: “During the last bout of heavy rainfall, Behala witnessed waterlogging for a long time as the pumps that had been sent for maintenance work were not reinstalled. There are three pumps installed near the Behala Flying Club. Among the three, one was functioning while the second developed a snag and the third was undergoing maintenance work. The pumps were sent to two private firms for maintenance works under the Kolkata Environmental Improvement Programme (KEIP).”

Mr Singh added: “One of the firms has declared bankruptcy and hence KEIP is writing to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to cancel their contract.”

The chief minister, Miss Mamata Banerjee, had recently called up mayor Sovan Chatterjee after several parts in Behala remained waterlogged for more than a day after the last bout of heavy showers.

Meanwhile, the civic body has also decided to take up repair works of potholes. It was also learnt that due to the construction of the Joka BBD Bag metro, an underground pipeline was damaged which also led to waterlogging in some areas, said a KMC official.