MC says no funds, so no storm sewerage

Ludhiana: Every year for almost two months, city roads turn into a pool of stagnant rainwater because the civic body, in the absence of funds and resources, has failed to find a permanent solution to the problem of water-logging. The existing domestic sewerage is unable to take the load of rainwater, resulting in stagnation of rainwater on city roads. Moreover, the deforestation and wall-to-wall construction are also two factors responsible for water stagnation. However, civic authorities have showed helplessness in curbing the problem unless they arrange funds for installing the storm sewerage in city areas.
The industrial town is mainly lacking in the installation of storm sewerage, and the areas where storm sewerage has been laid down have also lost the same because sewerage connections are connected with storm sewerage lines. One of the officials claimed that laying storm sewerage is a little bit difficult in this city because first of all the topography of the city is not equal, as some areas are at a height, while others are low-lying, due to which it is difficult to connect storm sewerage with Buddha Nullah for drainage of rainwater. Moreover, he said a lot of money was required for the same.
The existing sewerage system in the city is already overburdened, and on routine days also, sewerage lines remain blocked. Heavy downpour creates problems, and especially when drains passing through old city areas are also blocked or under encroachment. Though officials are claiming to keep a check on cleaning of road gulleys in the city, in many areas road gulleys are either still damaged or blocked with garbage.
Problematic areas
Areas like Haibowal, Hambran Road, Civil Lines, Chaura Bazaar, Railway Station road, and old market areas, Chandigarh Road, Rahon Road, Club Road, Model Town, Dugri, Chander Nagar, Transport Nagar, Bus Stand road, Dholewal, Focal Point, Damoria Bridge, Ferozepur Road etc are among the affected areas. Residents claimed if authorities were unable to spend a huge amount, they should have at least thought about these areas, and storm sewerage should have been laid down in these areas.
Senior Akali Dal councillor and leader of opposition Harbhajan Singh Dang has raised the demand from mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu to call an emergency meeting of the MC general house in the monsoon season. He said last year, civic officials had not completed the cleaning process in time, due to which residents faced a tough time and water-logging also damaged the city’s roads. He said even this year, officials have not done the cleaning properly. He said in the meeting, councillors can give their suggestions regarding water-logging.
The 30-feet rainwater recharge well has been made functional by civic officials. This is the first well developed by the civic body for curbing the problem of rainwater stagnation in BRS Nagar. Apart from this, other proposals are still in the pipeline.
Meanwhile, when asked about water-logging and its schedule, mayor Sandhu said: “I have conveyed to officials to ensure cleaning of road gulleys as soon as possible, and on Monday, I will visit the city. If found unsatisfactory, then there will be action against erring officials.” However, regarding storm sewerage, he said: “When MC does not have funds to pay salaries to employees, how will it invest a huge amount on storm sewerage projects?” Sandhu said he was also going to call a meeting of councillors next week for giving a solution to the water-logging problem.