Proper drainage system in city need of the hour

The accumulation of rainwater on roads can severely affect the lives of commuters. Potholes after rain also increase the probability of accidents. Hence, the onus lies on the municipal authorities to make sure that they make all arrangements beforehand and deploy ample staff to locations, where the severity of risk is high. They must affirm the cleaning of sewer pipes. Nevertheless, the people of the industrial city, especially the labour class, must be made aware of keeping the roads litter-free and clean to ensure that sewers do not choke. Another possible reason for the blocking of sewerage sieves is the increasing use of plastic bags. The authorities should sensitise people against its use. They must employ cleaning staff and provide sewerage cleaning equipment. A strict law must be made for new colonies to make sure they have good water drainage system in place. A good waste management system along with proper drainage systems can make roads free from accumulation of rainwater.

Karanvir Singh

Sensitise sanitation workers, public

Come monsoon and many roads are rendered impassable owing to blockage during downpour. Not only does this affects routine activities, but also comes with a host of diseases caused by the non-movement of water. Nevertheless, the problem remains even after the administration plans many 'jugads' previously such as cleanliness drives intended to make the city all the more tidier. But the big question that needs to be addressed is who is to be blamed for this intermittent yet persistent problem? Well, an answer would be - we all. Because the major reason of waterlogging is chocked sewers and nullahs and that happens due to our reckless behaviour towards the environment. It's time to take a serious call to solve a problem that seems too big to handle. Sensitisation of sanitation workers and public could be of great help in sorting this out. Garbage dumps should be properly managed so as not to let the rubbish flow with rainwater which may choke the nullahs. If people are properly sensitised, the end to this copious problem is not far.

Harshdeep Kaur, Khanna

Re-lay roads with sustainable drainage network 

Residents are fed up with waterlogging on roads everywhere. Due to the lack of multi-criteria decision-making approach, poor urban planning, total mismanagement, corruption and reckless construction, residents in various parts of the city are being forced to face the twin menace of waterlogging and salinisation (the process of increasing salt content within soil and water) during the rainy season. To address the issue of waterlogging on roads from the public point of view, the society has to come up-front to help the public authorities in handling the situation. We have to become aware in every sense to know how to keep our vicinity clean and safe in the same way as we keep our homes. We will have to behave responsibly. It becomes our duty to keep the roads clean, that we don't litter here and there, as it causes waterlogging. Moreover, from the government point of view, re-laying of roads with the use of top mix permeable concrete as per natural drainage patterns needs to be carried out in every area. It has the capacity to absorb 4,000 l water in around a minute. Besides, it not only prevents flooding, but also checks the formation of puddles and helps in reducing the heating of tarmac in hot weather. In addition to this, the utmost requirement is to establish smart water management to prepare a model of a sustainable drainage network for all forms of water, whether it's piped water supply, rainwater, storm water, surface water or ground water. 

Ravi Chander Garg, Ludhiana

Sewerage should be cleaned regularly 

The problem of water accumulation on roads in residential areas, markets and in various roundabouts is one of the major issues being faced by the people of Ludhiana, especially during the rainy season. But the civic body has failed to find a permanent solution to check waterlogging. There are several areas in the city, including the old GT Road, Gill Road, Model Town, Atam Park Chowk, Ghumar Mandi Transport Nagar, Dholewal Chowk, Vishavkarma Chowk, Samrala Chowk, Rani Jhansi Road, Railway station, Sarabha Nagar, BRS Nagar, Sherpur Chowk, Cancer Hospital Road and Jeewan Nagar among others, that face the problem of waterlogging and the situation is so grave that the accumulated water does not drain even after 3-4 days. The sewerage laid several years ago should be cleaned and cleared regularly. Similarly, outlets on roadsides should also be cleaned. New outlets should be made, where these are not available on roadsides. Rainy water must be preserved as part of rainwater harvesting and should not go in sewerage. Strict laws should be formed so that people do not to throw garbage and polythenes into the sewerage, which chokes it. The LMC should resolve this problem to save the lives of people from untimely accidents and epidemics caused due to accumulated water. 

Kudip Singh Kreer, Ludhiana

Onus lies on everyone

It is our religious duty to keep our homes and surroundings clean. The local government should construct roads after laying proper pipes for the drainage of rainwater. Nobody should be allowed to dig roads. Each household or business establishment must be provided with a sewerage, water, phone and electricity connection by charging from them, before carpeting roads and then violators must be punished. We must not throw waste materials openly on roads as this may be one of the reasons of accumulation of water on roads. Proper slope must be given to roads for the proper drainage of rainwater. Plastic bags should be banned. People should lend support to the local government to curb such problems. After every five years, there must be re-carpetting of depleted roads. The government should establish a committee, which must keep a vigil over this problem. It is the duty of each and every individual to keep the roads clean and free from any accumulation of water.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Poor preparedness of MC reflected

Still water is the main problem which the residents of the city are facing. The problem of waterlogging shows the poor preparedness of the MC officials. Clock Tower, Sarabha Nagar, Jalandhar bypass and a few small localities face the problem of waterlogging every monsoon, but no effective steps have been taken. The MC comes up with effective steps for main roads and the urban areas, but nothing concrete has been done for the smaller localities. The drains also get chocked during rains and houses and shops located on the low lying areas are the worst affected. The MC must ensure cleaning of drains before the monsoon and adequate arrangements should be made to avoid waterlogging on roads.

Surekha Mahajan

Roads must be repaired timely

Accumulation of water on roads in the city after rains is a common sight. Roads must be repaired and the authorities concerned must check the condition of roads in the city from time-to-time. It becomes difficult for the commuters during monsoon because of waterlogging, thus increasing the risk of accidents. Members of various residential societies must develop their own teams and take initiative to develp roads. Proper caution signs must be displayed in areas with damaged roads. 

Manpriya Kaur 

Existing drainage system must be reviewed 

Repair and maintenance are the key elements to avoid waterlogging. Accumulation of water on roads occur due to lack to proper drainage system. The existing drainage system must be reviewed and necessary repair or modification work must be done. The drains should be cleaned regularly. If required, new structures like inlets , open channels , linear drainage channels should be created. The authorities must monitor the condition of drains on a regular basis.

Ekroop Kaur

Install water pumps on roads

One of the common sights in the city after rainfall is the accumulation of water on roads. The low lying areas are the first to be inundated. Roads get blocked leading to traffic jams. The pedestrians too struggle and fade their way through the flooded streets. People living in the slums are the worst affected because rains damage their huts, which take them several days to recede. Sale of polythene should be banned. Roads which get waterlogged every season should be identified and water pumps should be installed to clear the water. A helpline number should be started where citizens could report instances of waterlogging. Low lying areas should be indentified and adequate pumping arrangements should be made. Potholes on the major city roads should be filled to avoid accidents. 

Dr Jasdeep Kaur

Fine residents for throwing waste in open

The accumulated water becomes a breeding place for mosquitoes. It is the prime duty of the Municipal Corporation to ensure that roads are in perfect condition and the drainage system is maintained. All potholes in the roads must be repaired from time-to-time. The drains must be cleaned regularly and the cleaning exercise it must be undertaken before the start of the monsoon season. The low lying areas in the city are the worst affected. The corporation staff must take immediate steps to pump out water from such areas. The public is equally responsible for the chocking of drainss. Use of plastic bags should banned and people must be fined for throwing household garbage in the open areas.

Dr G Dev

OPEN HOUSE COMMENT

Storm sewers should be made functional

Minna Zutshi

Even a brief spell of rain is enough to flood the city roads and bring the traffic to a virtual halt. Water accumulates on roads and often this water is smelly and it carries with it heaps of garbage and waste that are thrown on the roadsides. The drains and road gullies remain choked. Unfortunately, the authorities wake up only when the problem exacerbates. First and foremost, the entire system of storm sewers (that is almost non-existent) needs to be made functional and effectively functional. Putting in order a proper system of water drainage is imperative. Cleaning the choked sewers is a basic requirement. The cleaning should be done well in time prior to the monsoons. The city surely deserves this!