Sanitation Status in Calcutta Metropolitan District

The vast and complex array of problems are not only engulfing the city proper but also the Metropolitan District. Calcutta Metropolitan District (CMD) covers an area of about 490 square miles (Figure-1) stretching north south over a length of 50 miles along the river Ganges. Amongst its very many problems 'Santination' caused a stir not only within this country but also it raised a furore in the whole of the world. The reason being CMD was considered to be the nucleus of endemic cholera. In view of that a W. H. O. Consultant Team headed by Prof. Wolman made series of recommendations for the improvement of environmental sanitary conditions of CMD. Accordingly a Master Plan for Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage was drawn up for CMD and presented under W. H. O. Project India-170 in 1967.