Monsoon near, no pumps installed at flood-prone spots

Gurgaon: MCG has identified 120 waterlogging-prone points across the city where it needs to install machinery to prevent flooding during rains. While various agencies have already been awarded contracts for hiring machinery, a survey by the corporation has found it has still not been installed at waterlogging-prone areas, MCG officials said.
The civic body has now directed all wards to get the machinery set up. “We will install tractor-mounted pumps, permanent pumps and suction tankers at such areas. I have directed all executive engineers to deploy machinery at the required points. Stern action will be taken against those not following orders. The agencies which have procured the machinery have been directed to hand it over to the executive engineers concerned,” MCG superintending engineer Vivek Gill said.
The corporation plans to install tractor-mounted pumps at the Galleria market, Basai flyover, Sector 14 market, Sector 12A market, Sheetla Mata temple, Ghata underpass, gate No. 3 of Ardee City and Palam Vihar. Suction tankers will be deployed at these sites as per the requirement, MCG officials said.
On other measures undertaken to tackle waterlogging this year, he added, “Along main roads, MCG is planning to divert water run-off to nearby green belts and green areas through tabletop breakers.”
With the monsoons approaching, councillors and residents have raised concerns of the civic body’s flood-check plan, since the city witnesses waterlogging every year despite preparations beforehand.
“Although MCG has allocated tenders to hire machinery and equipment already, they should have worked on desilting drain and sewer lines simultaneously. The corporation floated a tender for desilting of drains in my ward only three days ago. The tendering process will take at least one month. What is the need of this futile exercise when the rainy season is almost here? Officials should have focused on desilting drains too when they were floating tenders for machinery,” said Ashwani Sharma, councillor of ward 19.