Monsoon looms on the horizon, butMC yet to start cleaning of drains

Ludhiana: While cleaning Buddha Nullah ahead of the rainy season remains a priority for the municipal corporation (MC) to avoid waterlogging in nearby areas, other seasonal drains in the city are also crying for attention.
The MC chief has directed the officials to ensure cleaning of the sewerage system before the rainy season.
The officials claimed they are taking up the work gradually. The drains near Damoria Bridge; Shivaji Nagar; New Shivaji Nagar; Gurudwara Dukhniwaran Sahib; Bhadhaur House; Talaab Bazaar, and Chaura Bazaar are a major source of rainwater drainage for the localities nearby and they are also linked to the Buddha Nullah. However, the officials seem to be ignorant about these drains as their cleaning is yet to begin.
They claimed that they have been cleaning road gullies and Buddha Nullah since March, but the process is supposed to be a regular one and people need to stop throwing waste in the gullies. Owing to the pollution, the officials have had to again kick off the process of cleaning road gullies.Meanwhile, the MC is planning to get another poclain machine for cleaning Buddha Nullah. Out of the two machines, which are already in use, one has been acquired by the officials on rent. They claimed that getting another machine would ensure cleaning of the nullah throughout the year and prevent accumulation of solid waste in it. Earlier, the MC used to get the annual cleaning done by the drainage department at the cost of Rs 90 lakh-Rs 1 crore. However, as the work was not satisfactory, the authorities had decided to purchase the poclain machine. One machine costs around Rs 70 lakh.
Installation of fence reaps benefit
The recent installation of chain link fencing around the Buddha Nullah has already prevented dumping of solid waste in the drain by up to 80%. Meanwhile, one of the MC officials claimed that the cleaning work will be completed in the given time. He said that earlier, the rainy season used to commence in July but this year, there was regular rain a few months prior.
He added that it was like clearning a mock test as even then, the process of getting the water drained out was done without causing inconvenience to the commuters. MC superintending engineer Ravinder Garg was unavailable for comments.
City lacks storm
drainage system
The city does not have an effective storm drainage system in all the areas. The existing one is linked to the city’s sewerage system. The sewerage system is unable to take the load of domestic sewage water and the rainwater puts an additional burden on it.