LAND ACQUISITION FOR SULLAGE LINE UNDERWAY

It is likely that Bathinda will face a floodlike situation in some pockets of the city this year too. The district does not have a storm water drainage network and sewage lines are being used to drain rainwater. Last year, it was decided that a 12-km sullage line will be installed to drain excess rainwater from Power House Road locality, which is one of the worst-hit areas. However, only 4km of the pipeline has been laid as land acquisition for the remaining area is still underway. The local body is racing against time as the monsoons are knocking on the door.

The MC has taken 10-acre land on lease from the Waqf Board to dig a pond to drain rainwater. Workers started digging the 10-ft pond on June 18 and the work is expected to be over by July 7.

Low-lying areas at the risk of flooding include localities around the district administrative complex that houses the official residences of the Bathinda deputy commissioner (DC), inspector general of police (IGP) and judicial officials, Sirki Bazaar, Mall Road, Power House Road, Parasram Nagar, Ganesha Basti and Vir Colony.

Public health activist Dr Vitull K Gupta blames haphazard urbanisation and poor planning. “Waterlogging cuts people’s access to different areas, including hospitals. Years of unplanned development and encroachment of old ponds is responsible,” he said.

Municipal commissioner Bikram Shergill said they had lost April and May to the Covid-19 outbreak. “Additional pump sets have been sourced to drain water from low-lying areas,” he said.

“Natural depression zones near Sanjay Nagar and DAV College are being de-silted and the water-holding capacity of ponds is being increased,” said Shergill.