89% city area sans storm water drainage system

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 28

Whenever it rains, even for a short period, waterlogging is witnessed in various parts of the city. The storm water drainage system is unavailable in around 89 per cent area of the city, as per the information. Besides, no concrete steps have been taken to promote the rainwater harvesting system.

The MC had earlier planned to install the storm water drainage system but the project could not see the light of day due to the lack of required funds, as per the sources. In several low-lying areas, the rainwater flows into houses, shops and other buildings when it rains heavily.

During the rainy season every year, waterlogging is generally witnessed at Transport Nagar, Gill Road, Hambran Road, Damoria Bridge, Rani Jhansi Road, Chaura Bazar area, Dholewal Chowk, near Clock Tower and many more areas. Even, waterlogging was witnessed many times outside the MC headquarters in the past.

On rainy days, the sewers often start overflowing near Police Colony Chowk on the main Chandigarh Road, Ludhiana, Panj Peer Road, Ludhiana, and some other areas. The vehicles are commonly stuck on waterlogged roads.

Advocate Prabhjot Singh said, “Flyovers and a lot of buildings have been constructed in the city but the drainage system is yet to be improved. The problems related to waterlogging have increased in recent years. Even after a short spell of rain, water starts accumulating in the streets. The authorities must take the necessary steps to resolve the problem. The drainage system must be improved. The road gullies and existing sewers should be timely cleaned.”

Residents also complain that the road gullies in many areas generally remain choked as these are not timely cleaned. The residents of several areas also complained that the existing sewer system in the city often gets choked during rain. Even, in some of the areas where the old storm system is available, it is not functioning properly.

Jaswinder Singh, a former superintending engineer of the Department of Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation, said, “The MC should make a proper plan for the installation of the storm water drainage system in all the areas to deal with the waterlogging problem. If a storm water drainage system is installed, it will help to sort out the problem of waterlogging. Besides, the MC should take the required steps for promoting the rainwater harvesting system. A rainwater harvesting system should be installed at all government buildings. The people should be encouraged to get the rainwater harvesting system installed in their buildings.”

At present, the MC has planned to install a storm water drainage system at only a few locations. The MC’s Superintending Engineer Rajinder Singh said, “A project to install storm water drainage system near Clock Tower will be started soon. This project will be done with MC funds.”

“We are waiting for the approval for the installation of a storm water drainage system to deal with the waterlogging problem on Chandigarh Road. The NHAI will provide funds for this project. After getting required approval, the tenders will be floated for the same,” he said.

The officials claim the drive is already under way for cleaning of road gullies and sewers.

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