KMC Sanctions Rs 581 Mn Sewer Overhaul to Ease Waterlogging

06 May 2025 CW Team

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has approved a Rs 581 Mn drainage upgrade to address chronic waterlogging in seven wards across Boroughs V, VI, and VII. The project targets flood-prone zones such as Elliot Road, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, and Chowringhee Road, where outdated colonial-era brick sewers have long failed to manage stormwater effectively.

The initiative involves desilting, structural reinforcement, and applying glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) lining to the ageing sewer network. GRP technology enhances durability and aligns with sustainable urban planning goals. Once completed, the hydraulic efficiency of the system is expected to improve significantly, reducing flooding during moderate rainfall.

Wards 47, 51, 52, 53, 61, 62, and 63 have been prioritised, with key stretches including junctions of AJC Bose Road and Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Park Street to Lenin Sarani, and Lenin Sarani to BB Ganguly Street. The project follows a successful Rs 383 Mn pilot upgrade on BB Ganguly Street earlier this year.

Funding will come from the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department. While traders and residents have raised concerns over disruptions, officials assured phased execution to minimise inconvenience.

KMC aims to enhance resilience, reduce health risks, and future-proof Kolkata’s infrastructure.

Source:Press Trust of India (PTI)

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..