Woes brimming over in Royal City

PATIALA: A few hours of rain often results in a deluge-like situation in Patiala, hometown of chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

Around 110mm of rainfall in past 15 days has exposed ill-preparedness of the municipal corporation and the district administration to tackle the waterlogging problem.

The municipal corporation (MC) and the drainage department claimed to have started de-silting of main three main sewer lines passing through the city. Though the authorities say ₹2 crore have been spent on cleaning 12km sewer-cum-drainage lines before monsoon, the situation has not improved.

“Had the de-silting work not been done before rains, the situation could have gone out of hand,” said Suresh Kumar, MC executive engineer.

The absence of dedicated storm sewer lines is the root cause of the situation. “It is a huge project that requires large amount of funds. For the time being, we are using sewer lines to flush out rainwater,” Kumar said.

Though the drainage department claims of completing de-silting work of Jacob drain and Patiala drain (Vaddi Nadi), the waterlogging problem persists in the city. An MC official said the work orders for cleaning both the drain were issued in the last week of June, but the started a few days ago.

Five chronic flooding spot in the city are Model Town, colonies situated in and around the Lehal area, Khalsa Mohalla

Waterlogging is one of the major issues in the city. A dedicated stormwater channel can help solve the problem. Complete ban on polythene bags would be of great help. SANJEEV SHARMA BITTU, Patiala mayor

and Lahori Gate, ISBT and the Tripari area. Bablu Kumar, a city resident, said: “A short spell of rain leaves roads inundated for several hours. It is better to make our own arrangements than to depend on authorities.”

Nawal Kishore, a shopkeeper, said: “We have built three feet wall outside our shops so water does not enter our establishments. The municipal corporation has failed to find a permanent solution to the problem.”

Manpreet Singh, a resident of Ajit Nagar, said: “What’s the use of spending crores on cleaning the storm sewer lines if there is no respite from waterlogging?”