Congress workers take on MC over waterlogging

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 24

Accusing civic body officials of not taking the required steps for proper drainage of rainwater, Congress workers staged a protest in front of the Municipal Corporation office here on Monday.

Besides, the protesters said the MC should impose a penalty on the private firm that has been given the contract for ensuring proper disposal of rainwater.

Apart from Congress workers, councillors from different wards also participated in the protest.

The workers said besides making it difficult for people to commute after a spell of rain, water inundated residential and market areas was also an open invitation to numerous vector-borne diseases.

Raising slogans against MC officials and the Mayor, the Congress workers accused them of staying mum on the matter.

Anil Bhola, secretary, District Congress Committee, said, “Several markets and residential areas had submerged in water after rain on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. The situation was such that Sirki Bazaar was inundated in knee-deep water. When we checked the water disposal pump near Sirki Bazaar, the operator was not there. Since the pump could not be started, rainwater had remained stagnant in the market and residential areas for around two days. It shows the level of seriousness with which the MC and its officials have been dealing with the problem.”

“The MC has given the contract to Triveni company, which has failed to ensure proper water drainage on time. It led to many problems in various areas in the city. MC officials must take action against the company and levy a penalty on it for mismanagement. There was absolutely no anticipation from the authorities, especially when there was weather forecast for heavy rain,” he said.

The Congress workers also threatened to gherao the residences of MC officials and the Mayor if they did not take any action to resolve the issue.