2-hour rain exposes Amritsar MC’s tall claims

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 9

The heavy rain that lashed the holy city for around two hours on Sunday left the Heritage Street and other posh areas inundated, exposing the tall claims of the Municipal Corporation about the desilting of sewer lines.

The poor drainage led to the overflowing of drains and sewer lines at GT Road, BRTS lanes, bus stand, Mall Road, MM Malvia Road, Majitha Road, Batala Road, Putalighar, GT Road, SSSS Chowk and several other areas of the walled city.

All major sewer lines remain choked, which led to the accumulation of rainwater on roads and streets till late evening.

Apart from this, the rainfall also exposed the true picture that hid behind the glitter of the Rs250-crore Golden Temple Heritage Street project. The streets were flooded with rainwater even after the rain stopped. The devotees were seen wading through stagnant water, holding shoes in their hands. In the absence of storm sewerage, sewer lines get over burdened during rain. The MC operates disposal points to drain the water out from city roads.

Commuters, especially motorcyclists and pedestrians, had a tough time. Several vehicles were halted on roads abruptly due to water-logging and drivers had to push their vehicles aside to clear the way.

Malkeet Singh, a resident of the low-lying area near the bus stand, said: “It is not happening for the first time. It is unfortunate that the MC is not learning any lesson from its past mistakes. A separate storm sewer is needed in the city.”

Narinder Kumar, a resident of Putaligarh, said: “Water-logging was quite visible, especially in Putligarh, Gawal Mandi and Khandwala. Water was accumulated in several areas till evening.”