City roads remain submerged even as MC blames heavy rainfall

Ludhiana: The waterlogged city roads continued to give tough time to commuters even on Sunday. It being a holiday, there was partial relief to people as schools, offices and some of the institutes were closed. But residents were forced to stay indoors due to continuous rainfall since early morning and water-logging outside their houses. The civic officials, however, remained clueless about the situation and blamed heavy rainfall for water-logging instead of admitting to poor sewerage in the city.
Massive water-logging was witnessed in areas like Haibowal, Chandigarh road, Dholewal chowk, Model Town, Model Town Extension, Dugri road, College road, Hambran road, Civil Lines, Sandhu Nagar, Chander Nagar, Sherpur Chowk, Millar Ganj, Gill Road, etc. The condition near Dholewal Chowk, Sherpur Chowk, Giaspura and Dhandhari was worst where people were forced to cross road by passing through stagnant water. Bus operators were finding it difficult to drop or pick commuters.
Describing the problems, a resident of Model Town, Gurpal Grewal, said, “There is hell-like situation in the city as due to continuous rainfall and water-logging roads have become streams and potholes add to commuters’ woes.” He said the groundwater level was going down and if the civic body had installed rainwater harvesting system in the city then it could have been recharged.
Another resident from Deep Nagar Tarun Goyal said, “I got stuck at Dholewal chowk as my bike stopped due to water-logging and I had to drag it to take it to a mechanic.” He asked if the MC would pay compensation for the losses or the costs they have to bear every rainy season.
Meanwhile, traffic jam was witnessed in many areas due to water-logging. Markets also wore a deserted look in the morning due to rainfall and the shopkeepers also opened their shops late. But rush was witnessed at some sweets shops as people were seen getting their Sunday breakfast packed. People were standing outside these shops despite stagnant water.
However, superintending engineer of operation and maintenance cell Ravinder Garg said there was heavy rainfall on Sunday and water got accumulated in some areas. He said the city did not have a storm sewerage, therefore water-logging took place.
MC commissioner takes stock of Buddha Nullah cleaning
A day after the local bodies minister Brahm Mohindra gave directions to civic officials for ensuring cleaning of sewerage in the city, MC commissioner K P Brar checked cleaning of Buddha Nullah. Only 70%-80% of Buddha Nullah cleaning has been done so far when it should have been completed by June end and they had even taken 15 days extension. Now, even that is coming to end on July 15. The followers of Namdhari sect have also joined the cleaning of the nullah because the drainage department is finding it difficult to complete the task in time.
Commissioner Brar said, “It will take another 15 days to complete the work because due to regular rainfall weeds are growing back in the nullah. Moreover, it is a continuous process, especially in the rainy season.”
Driving at city roads risky
Due to frequent rainfall and water stagnation big potholes have surfaced in many areas. Commuters have to be careful while driving on the city roads. “The roads are submerged in water and driving a car on these roads is nothing short of a nightmare. It is quite dangerous,” commented Rajiv Duggal, a resident of Civil Lines.