No end in sight to waterlogging problem

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 24

Rain that lashed the region in the past three days has exposed the ill preparedness of the Municipal Corporation (MC) to tackle the situation. On Monday, commuters had to wade through waterlogged roads in the city. 

Bibi Wala Road, Powerhouse Road, Dhobiana Basti, Parasram Nagar, Court Complex Road, Sirki Bazaar and Civil Lines remained waterlogged throughout the day. 

Footfall in the market areas, including Mall Road, Sirki Bazaar and Dhobi Bazaar dropped as water remained on roads. Some shopkeepers also did not open their shops till late afternoon. The residential area in Parasram Nagar remained particularly affected due to waterlogging. 

Harmeet Singh with members of his family remained stranded in his car for about half an hour near Sirki Bazaar. He said, “Excessive water accumulation during the rainy season has become a common site on city roads. The administration announced a plan to tackle the problem of waterlogging effectively in the city, but all plans and claims remain on papers as water accumulates in the streets. With every passing year, the problem of waterlogging has increased.”

Mayor Balwant Rai Nath said, “The sullage carrier was broken recently and it has also developed cracks in some parts. We have requested the Centre for funds under the Amrit scheme. As soon as we receive the funds, we will complete the pending work and it will resolve the waterlogging problem in the city.”