Early morning rain and resultant waterlogging on several stretches led to massive traffic jams across Noida on Thursday..
Office-goers and students, who struggled to reach their offices and schools on time, blamed the Noida Authority and route diversions in border areas for Kanwar yatris for the mess.
Unfinished desilting
Following complaints, Uttar Pradesh principal secretary and Noida Authority chairman Alok Sinha ordered a probe and sought report from the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer Amit Mohan Prasad.
Though the rain brought some respite from the heat, poor arrangements by the authority and unfinished desilting and check of drainages ruined the joy of the residents.
The Hindu visited several parts of Noida to check the city’s monsoon preparedness and found heavy traffic jams and waterlogging in several parts, including Sector 18, 27, 26, 29, 24, 11, 12, 16, 6, Filmcity, Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, Rajnigandha intersection, Jalvayu Vihar.
According to Noida Authority sources, the drains, which are partially covered, are cleaned every year before the onset of the monsoon.
The Authority spends ₹5 crore a year to de-silt the drains.
‘Unpleasant memories’
“Heavy rain has evoked unpleasant memories of waterlogging and traffic jams. Residents, however, are preparing for the worst considering the Noida Authority's poor track record. The pre-monsoon showers had exposed some gaps in their preparation. Their claims of drain desilting rang hollow when rainwater flooded the roads,” said Rajiv Singh, a resident.
“It took me over an hour to cover a distance of just 2km from Indirapuram to Sector 62 in Noida. Due to waterlogging, traffic started to crawl. I reached my office late. My children could not go school today," said R.K. Singh, who works with a multinational company in Noida.
The traffic police have been put on alert.
On arterial roads and snarl-prone areas, traffic cops were deployed but they also could not do much given the size of the unpleasant memories.
Monsoon mayhem
The Noida Authority chairman in his first meeting with the authority officials had directed them to make efforts to ensure quality living in Noida.
Mr. Sinha had ordered them to complete the desilting drive before the monsoon.
“I had directed them to complete all work before monsoon and take a certificate from respective RWA to ensure satisfaction of the residents. After poor show I will seek a report from Noida Authority CEO Amit Mohan Prasad," said Mr Sinha.
The sources said that following Mr. Sinha’s order, all junior engineers and staff have swung into action to meet the target.