North choe wild growth cleaning hit by early rains

MOHALI: Councillors have termed the delayed initiation of cleaning process of wild growth in North Choe as lack of vision on the part of Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC) as the early rains hit the progress of the work. The councillors claimed that MC should have started the cleaning work two months ago.
MC has recently started the cleaning work on June 24 after which early rains had hit the progress work stalling it thrice. Till date MC has been able to complete only 50% of the cleaning of the n-choe whereas the monsoons have already knocked on the doors of the city.

Kamaljit Singh Ruby, Councillor of ward number 24 said, "We have been pressing the civic body to clear the wild growth from past two years but now it has come very late as monsoons are already at the door steps. The N-Choe bisects Phase IX and the residents are forced to live under fear of criminals as well as health hazards. MC was supposed to clean and clear the area and construct cycle tracks, walking paths and fix foot lights on the banks of the choe but has miserably failed. We often get complaints of snakes found in the courtyards of residents which bring out the scare."

He added that worst is the flooding of the N-choe due to wild growth forces water inflow into house of the residents of Phase IX.

Colonel J B S Mehta retired, resident of phase IX said, “N-choe is worse during monsoons. We have experienced four feet of water flooding our houses last year and this year the threat remains. It is good that MC has started clearing the wild growth but the exercise must have been started well before onset of monsoons. Now the rains have already arrived.”

N-Choe which runs for around 5.5 km in Mohali is marred with over 10 feet tall of wild growth which not only acts as check dams for natural flow of water but has also become hide out for miscreants and deadly reptiles which is cause of major concern specially for the residents of Phase IX.

According to the reports, the key waterlogging points which have been identified are house number 1200 to 1300 in Phase 3B2, 1900 towards Sector 70 and Industrial Area, HM houses in Phase 3B1 and N-choe from Phase IX to Sector 68.

After last years rainfall and flooding, Mohali administration had identified key points which are disturbing the natural gradient and restricting the natural flow of water in Mohali. N-Choe has over 10 feet of wild growth which not only acts as check dams for natural flow of water but has also become hide out for miscreants and deadly reptiles, say residents of Phase IX.

In the recent rains many parts of central and north-western parts of the town were submerged under 5 feet of water, causing major damage to residents’ property besides inconvenience.

Apart from the restricting the natural gradient of the city, the other major factor responsible for back flow of storm water is wild growth in the N-choe. Heavy downpour had wreaked havoc in the low-lying areas, last year. Water entered into several houses, several spots in markets and roads have turned into chronic stagnation points.

Jasbir Singh, a resident of Phase IX said, “It is good news that MC has taken initiative to clear the wild growth well in time before onslaught of monsoons. We hope that this work remain a continuous process and the wild growth is removed on daily basis.”