In anticipation of the upcoming civic polls, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has initiated the provision of non-potable water to households and community toilets in the slums of Ward No. 11 in the Hatibagan area of Kolkata. Previously, residences had access to drinking water for two hours each at specific intervals—6 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm. However, starting from February 20, residents in the area now receive a continuous 24×7 supply of non-potable water.

The municipal elections are expected to take place in mid-April, and according to municipal sources, the initiative, which commenced in Ward No. 11, will be expanded to encompass six to seven additional slums within the next three to four months. Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh, the winner of Ward No. 11, emphasized the significant impact on the residents, stating, “People in slum areas always face severe water crises, forcing them to store large quantities of water for daily use. With this initiative, they no longer need to store water, which will also contribute to the prevention of diseases like dengue.”

An official from the Slum Development Department of KMC explained, “In the Kolkata municipal area, there are at least 3,000 slums, with Ward No. 11 alone having nine. This water supply initiative will benefit approximately 10,000 people for both domestic use and community toilets.”

A senior leader from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) mentioned, “Our TMC-led board in the Corporation has consistently prioritized projects in slum areas.”