The Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) and the Howrah Division of Eastern Railway (ER) held a high-level coordination meeting on Thursday, 20 August 2026, to jointly address decades-old waterlogging in the rail yard outside Howrah station — a recurring monsoon crisis that has disrupted train services and caused repeated cancellations. The meeting marks a significant shift in civic-rail relations under the new state government in West Bengal.

What Was Discussed

Senior officials from both sides deliberated on building an integrated, long-term drainage network covering Howrah and adjoining areas, including railway premises. According to a senior ER official, discussions centred on 'developing a technically sound drainage network with particular emphasis on preventing waterlogging during heavy rainfall, improving drainage capacity, strengthening pumping arrangements, and ensuring effective disposal of excess water.'

The review covered water flow entering railway premises from adjacent municipal zones, waterlogging at Limited Height Subway (LHS) locations, and multiple drainage bottlenecks across the area.

Joint Inspections and Drain Mapping Planned

Officials agreed to conduct detailed joint inspections by Eastern Railway, the West Bengal state government, and HMC to identify root causes and trace water flow routes in affected parts of Howrah. The entire drainage circuit is to be systematically mapped — preferably up to its final outfall towards the Hooghly River — so that bottlenecks can be identified and addressed in a coordinated manner.

The pumping stations at Mainakpara and Golabari were specifically reviewed, with officials agreeing to examine the feasibility of additional pumping capacity at critical locations. The Howrah Division has already deployed an online automated pumping monitoring system that tracks operational status and water levels in real time, enabling faster diagnosis and timely intervention during heavy rainfall.

Key Locations Under Review

Drainage arrangements around Rani Jheel, Bamangachi, and Liluah were reviewed with emphasis on enhancing water outflow and buffering capacity. Officials also discussed strengthening the drainage connection towards Kona More, with a suitable outfall to the Hooghly, in coordination with the Kolkata Municipal Development Authority (KMDA) and other agencies.

Location-specific issues at Bally, Dobson Road, Church Road, Dasarath Ghosh Lane, Chandmari Bridge, and Tikiapara were also reviewed. Proposals included using ponds and jheels for temporary water retention and deploying drone-based monitoring of outfalls.

Why the Problem Has Persisted

Howrah's drainage network is a legacy system, much of it clogged with garbage and silt accumulated over decades. During the monsoons, restricted water flow causes backflow into low-lying areas such as the Howrah carshed and yard. EMU local trains parked at the carshed have suffered motor damage due to subsidence, requiring costly repairs, while maintenance of long-distance trains has also been hampered.

Notably, the railways had repeatedly raised complaints with the HMC in the past, but those were reportedly brushed aside. The change in state government is now seen as an opening for genuine inter-agency cooperation.

What Comes Next

Both sides have agreed to work systematically on drainage lines to build a sustainable, integrated network — improving pumping and water-discharge capacity and ensuring effective management during heavy rainfall events. The joint inspections are expected to determine the exact scope of infrastructure upgrades required, with agencies including KMDA set to be part of the coordinated effort.