Chandigarh Road: Waterlogging persists despite complaints

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 27

Despite repeated complaints by residents in the past few years, the Municipal Corporation (MC) is yet to resolve the severe waterlogging problem during the rains at Police Colony Chowk and the nearby areas on Chandigarh Road.

Whenever it rains heavily or even during a short spell of downpour, water gets accumulated on the highway causing a lot of inconvenience to commuters.

Some residents blame the ‘faulty’ sewer system for waterlogging in the area. They say covers of some manholes often get lifted due to high pressure of water in the main sewer lane at Police Colony Chowk and sewers start overflowing during the downpour.

Now, residents want that the MC should take required measures to avoid waterlogging on Chandigarh Road in the monsoon. Premjit Singh, a resident of Chandigarh Road, said, “Even during a short spell of rain, sewer water accumulates on the main road and in nearby colonies. We have been witnessing this problem for a long time, but to no avail.”

“We faced tough times during the monsoon last year too. No steps have been taken to avoid waterlogging in the upcoming rainy season. We appeal to the MC authorities to do the needful,” he added.

Jagjeet Singh Mann, a resident of Gurubagh Colony on Chandigarh Road, said, “Sometimes, rainfall for 30 minutes causes major waterlogging on this stretch of the highway.”

“Chances of mishaps can’t be ignored during waterlogging. Besides, long traffic jams are also witnessed on the flooded stretch. The MC authorities should find out permanent solution to this problem so that commuters and residents can heave a sigh of relief,” he added.

Rajinder Singh, an employee of the MC, said, “Steps are being taken to resolve the waterlogging problem. We have submitted a plan to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for laying storm sewer system at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore on Chandigarh Road. The storm sewer will drain rainwater into Buddha Nullah.”

“Separate sewer lane is being laid for dyeing units. Once this project is complete, the problem of overflowing sewers on Chandigarh Road will be resolved,” he added.

Efforts on to resolve issue: MC employee

Rajinder Singh, an employee of the MC, said: “Steps are being taken to resolve the waterlogging problem. We have submitted a plan to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for laying storm sewer system at an estimated cost of Rs3 crore on Chandigarh Road. The storm sewer will drain rainwater into the Buddha Nullah.”