Monsoon approaching, clogged drains, sewers yet to be cleaned

Monsoon is around the corner but nullahs and drains in different parts of the city are clogged with garbage and filth. Huge quantities of trash, including plastic, have been dumped at many places which had led to blocking of the drains.

Residents have called for timely cleaning of the drains and sewers to prevent monsoon woes as even light showers turn the city into pools of water due to blocked drains and sewers. Drains near Bhadaur House, Damoria Bridge, Haibowal and other areas are filled with garbage.

BJP leader and former councillor Parminder Mehta has urged the Municipal Corporation to ensure timely cleaning of drains and sewers, especially in old city areas, to avoid waterlogging after rainfall.

“Even light rain results in waterlogging which takes hours for water to recede. The MC should get storm drains, sewerage chambers and road nets cleaned on an urgent basis as monsoon was expected to arrive early this year,” he said.

A resident of Dhoka Mohalla, Sudarshan Ram, said generally it was observed that MC workers clean drains and keep garbage near them, which ultimately get dumped into the drains, causing disruptions in the flow of water. Garbage should be lifted from such places and dumped at a distant place so that it does not enter the drains again, he said.

A shopkeeper near Domoria Bridge said the whole area near the bridge turns into a pool of water even after a light rainfall. The drain flows along the bridge which is full of filth and needs cleaning before the arrival of the monsoon season.

Sudha Kumari, a resident of the Shivpuri area, said rainwater enters their houses. “We have even constructed a small wall with bricks outside our house but still water enters it,” she said.

Sukhwinder Singh, a resident of Dhandari Khurd, said: “Streets of Dhandari Khurd and nearby areas often remain flooded due to overflowing sewers throughout the year and things become worse during rainy days.”