LMC budget 2020: Sewage, drainage to get max hike

LUCKNOW: People can expect some relief from the recurring waterlogging problem this monsoon with Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) proposing to allocate a major portion of its annual budget for the sewage system, drains and garbage management.
According to LMC officials, the 2020-21 budget of Rs 2,226 crore will be tabled in the House by the end of March. Money allocated for sewage system and drains has been proposed to be increased by Rs 18 crore from Rs 172 crore to Rs 190 crore this time. “We are planning to provide more funds for sanitation, sewage system and roads,” said chief engineer Manish Singh.

Lucknow has a total of 26 high drains and a network of 1,800km of small drains. The budgetary allocation would be used for laying, cleaning and interlocking of drains, laying of new sewer pipelines and replacing old ones and buying equipment for improving daily garbage disposal. “The municipal body will start its cleanliness drive for high and small drains from March to check waterlogging caused by choking of drains. Proper garbage disposal will prevent waste lying in the open from flowing back into drains. New sewer lines and repair of old ones would check overflowing of sewage during monsoon,” said a senior LMC official.

The civic body has, however, proposed deductions in funds for maintenance of sewage treatment plants from Rs 80 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, for water pipeline repair from Rs 1.25 crore to Rs 35 lakh and manhole repair from Rs 2 crore to Rs 1 crore. The reason: Most of these functions have been handed over to private players, which will be paid by the development of urban department.