Clogged drains; JMC not prepared for monsoon

With monsoon clouds are hanging over the city, monsoon is hardly a fortnight away. However, JMC is still ill-prepared for dealing with the monsoon woes and is struggling to initiate the desilting of drains in the city. Sources in the Jaipur Municipal Corporation revealed that the city has a total of more than 985 small and big drains, out of which only 24 drains have been desilted.

While the news of the arrival of monsoon delighted the city’s residents, the fear of waterlogging haunts them. JMC’s poor coordination can put the residents’ lives at risk this monsoon too. JMC has not even released tenders and work orders for several wards. Even if the tenders are released now, you cannot expect the pre-monsoon preparedness work to complete prior to monsoon.

Residents accused the officials of wasting public money by carrying out all work at the last moment. However, JMC’s chief engineer Subhash Gupta said “Work of desilting the drains is under process and we are issuing work orders. Our executive engineers are monitoring the work and it would be hopefully completed by the monsoon.” Officials shared that they lack manpower and the necessary equipment to carry out the process on large scale. JMC first chose to invite tenders for 50-60 major drains only and later they will take care of the rest.

Hear the residents

Pranav Soni, a resident of Brahampuri area said that his locality comes under the low-lying areas of the city. Last year waterlogging lead to a terrible stink in that area and also caused water-borne diseases which the residents had to deal with. He said that heavy rains always lead to waterlogging and makes it extremely difficult to even commute for work.

Similarly, Gauri Shankar Sharma, a resident of Subhash Nagar said that waterlogging woes are not new to the residents of this place.  The silt from the drains is often left on the site by the municipal staff, which later flows back to the drains during rains and chokes them back. JMC should have conducted the drainage work in May itself but they have not yet started.

Gautam Agarwal, a shop owner near Hawa Mahal, said that anyone who visits us during the rainy season can witness sewage and waste, floating into the shops and even into temples. The drains in the old city haven’t been cleaned properly since years.

What do you have to say about waterlogging situations in your area? Share with us in the comments below.