MC, DRAINAGE DEPT BEHIND SCHEDULE
Cleaning and de-silting of water bodies and drains in Patiala are running behind schedule due to the pandemic. It will take authorities two to three weeks to complete the process. Drainage department superintending engineer Devinder Singh said de-silting is on in full swing. “Men and machines are working roundthe-clock to complete the work,” he said.
“This year, work was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Everything from deciding to tap the main drains to arranging machines and manpower was delayed due to the lockdown,” Singh said, adding since health is a priority for the state government, the department is working with limited resources.
“We received Rs 1.5 crore to clean the main drains in Patiala city and other parts of the district. We are expected to complete the work by June 30,” he said.
Last year, a flood-like situation had persisted in Patiala city after Badi Naddi, the main rivulet, overflowed. The administration had to evacuate around 250 families after the water entered colonies in low-lying areas. The Ghaggar river also brought devastation. Around 10,000 acres was submerged in Patran, Sanour and Samana.
Patiala MC commissioner Poonamdeep Kaur said the sewerage department had been directed to ensure de-silting of the eastern drain and the 30-km sewer lines and gullies before monsoon.
The district administration has set up seven control rooms at sub-division levels to deal with flood-like situations.