Waterlogging woes worsen after fresh spell of snow

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 2

Even as the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) today claimed of pressing additional 50 mobile pumping units and 37 Honda small pumping units into service, residents continued to face waterlogging. “Whenever it rains or snows, we are forced to shut down our shops due to inundated roads outside our shops. It is unfortunate that the government has failed to find a permanent solution to our woes,” said Abdul Rashid, a shopkeeper near Magarmal Chowk.

Shopkeepers of nearby areas besides pedestrians too were found facing similar problems as city received a fresh spell of snowfall from last night. “The road outside the Exhibition Ground is located in the heart of the city just close to the Civil Secretariat, but it continues to face heavy waterlogging. The government has to find a permanent solution and one can imagine the condition of roads in the interiors,” said Sajad Ahmad, a local.

However, an SMC official said the commissioner of the corporation, GN Qasba, was personally monitoring de-watering exercises.

“De-watering of accumulated water through stationed pumps and mobiles de-watering pumps was supervised by the commissioner. Besides 76 permanent de-watering pumping stations, SMC has installed 50 mobile pumping units and 37 Honda small pumping units at various submerged areas of the city,” the official said while adding that the SMC cleared roads to key destinations, including hospitals, religious places and offices on priority.

Besides, the official said several hoppers, loaders, and JCBs had been pressed into service for the convenience of the public.

The SMC said it had already established a snow control room where people could lodge complaints related to waterlogging or other related problems. “In case of any complaint regarding de-watering and clearance of snow, following helplines can be contacted through SMC during office hours: 0194-2474499, 9419032508 and 9419244369,” the official said.