A city of lurking death-traps
By Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Dec 9 — If the number of uncovered manholes and storm water chambers is any indication, Chandigarh is a city of lurking death-traps.

Barring some posh northern or phase I sectors, name any marg or road in the city, it will have one to many uncovered storm water chambers or gullies and even manholes.

A survey by Chandigarh Tribune reveals that though the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation undertook a major project of constructing new storm water chambers and storm water gullies in most of the problem sectors early this year, the work has been left incomplete. Most of the newly constructed storm water gullies and chambers have not been provided covers.

After discontinuing the existing practice of iron or steel grills to cover manholes, the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has gone for cement grills which have limited chances of pilferage. They, however, have shorter life as they get crushed under the weight of heavy vehicles, or even in case if they are not properly fixed or placed on the storm water chamber or gully.

All the new storm water chambers constructed along the Sectors 27 and 30 stretch of Udyog Path are without covers. The work on the construction of these chambers was completed in September this year. The next stretch of Udyog Path, between Sectors 20 and 19, is also no better.

From the intersection of Sectors 27, 28, 29 and 30 to intersection of Sectors 18,19,20 and 21, more than 15 storm water gullies are withou covers. Besides, two of the chambers at the intersection of Sectors 27,28, 29 and 30, are also without covers.

The situation is no better even on Madhya Marg, Dakshan Marg , outer Dakshan Marg, Sukhna Path, Chandi Path, Himalaya Marg, Sarovar Path, Purv Marg, Uttar Marg, Paschim Marg , Vigyan Path and a part of Jan Marg. There are hundreds of uncovered manholes, storm water gullies on every prestigious road of the city. This is not to mention the poor upkeep of storm water gullies inside the sectors, which is, at places, deplorable.

Unfortunately, neither the Engineering Department of the Administration nor of the Municipal Corporation has any system to monitor or inspect these storm water gullies and manholes periodically. The covers are replaced primarily on a complaint basis, and complaints must come either from someone influential or during visit of VIPs to the affected area. In routine, complaints simply get filed.

The other major problem has been the “misuse” of these storm water gullies and manholes. Safai karamcharis all over the city have been using these storm water gully points as garbage collection or gathering points. Whenever they sweep the roads or road berms, they push the garbage, dust, dry leaves and even rubble to these drainage points. In cases where the covers are missing, the garbage is dumped in the chambers or gullies.

Hundreds of storm water gullies are now overflowing with solid garbage deposits. Unlike the past, esepecially on the eve of the Monsoon, these gullies are not cleaned and cleared of garbage, thus leading to choking of storm water drainage system.

Even this afternoon while a special campaign was on to sweep V-3 roads going to southern or phase II sectors, and at most of the places, cut vegetation and garbage was being put in uncovered storm water gullies.