Choked drains cause water-logging in city areas
Failure of authorities to undertake cleaning of drains leads to frequent water-logging after slight rains in various areas of the summer capital.
The residents of New Colony Batamaloo said the drains in the area have been choked due to extensive siltation during floods last year.“The choked drains have made our lives miserable. Even a slight drizzle causes water-logging in our area. This hampers movement of locals particularly children, women and aged. We have to ferry them to main road in vehicles,” said a delegation from the area led by Matla-ul-Anwar.
He said the problem is severe at Government Housing Colony in Batamaloo. “A network of drains pass through our area. Due to choking of drains in absence of cleaning, pungent smell has engulfed our area. We have many times requested the concerned authorities to undertake cleaning of the drains, however no action has been taken so far,” Anwar said.
Residents of Bota Kadal and its adjoining areas in Shaher-e-Khaas also complained of water-logging due to choked drains. The aggrieved residents of Bota Kadal, Pokhribal, Naribal, Lal Bazar staged protest on Tuesday to press for cleaning of drains and water-logging in the area.
“The drains are completely choked in our area. Due to this, water has entered into ground floors of several houses,” the residents said.
The aggrieved residents said due to water-logging, two marriage ceremonies were few days ago cancelled at Sheikh Hamza Colony Botshah Mohalla.
Pertinently, even Srinagar’s commercial hub— Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas including Residency Road get water-logged after rains.
Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Tufail Mattoo acknowledged the problem. “Some low-lying areas in city including Lal Bazar and Batamaloo are facing problems of water-logging. We will take all measures to dewater the areas. Besides, we will also undertake cleaning of drains in areas confronted with water-logging. Besides, we have also submitted a project to Government for increasing capacity of drains in Srinagar,” Mattoo said.
“However, we have to take into consideration that Srinagar received heavy spell of rains in past over a month. This time water table is high and it takes some times for water to get absorbed,” he added.
