Poor drainage system plagues Srikakulam city

Srikakulam: The promise of providing underground and open drainage system in Srikakulam remains unfulfilled for the last three decades. In the absence of underground or open drainage system, several areas like Illisupuram, Balaga, ASN Colony, DCCB Colony, Visakha-A, Visakha-B colonies, ZP, Mahalaxminagar and a few others are witnessing water stagnation during rainy season. As a result of it, mosquito and water related diseases are spreading rampantly in the y during every rainy season.

The topmost priority is to develop drainage before the city development is planned. This is the opinion the citizens are expressing. The beds of the irrigation canals have been encroached upon and the officials are finding it difficult to remove the encroachments on either side of roads across the city.

The oldest irrigation channel passing through the city, Mirthi Batti was occupied and another irrigation canal at P N Colony was also occupied by the residents of the area. As a result of it, both rain and drain water not discharged properly and leading to inundation of low-laying areas.

A consultant agency from Uttar Pradesh and Hyderabad city conducted surveys for construction of open and underground drains. Later Public Health and Municipal engineers had prepared a detailed project reports (DPR) for both underground and open drain system.

As per proposals prepared in 1991, it was estimated that the project would cost Rs 30 crore but in 2017 cost of the project was enhanced to Rs 150 crore for underground and open drainage system and Rs 110 crore for open drainage systems alone. But both the projects were kept on back-burner. After 2017 proposals had not been revised so far.

"We are pursuing with our higher officials on importance of underground and open drains in Srikakulam city at review meetings and waiting for government orders" Srikakulam Municipal Commissioner M Geetha Devi told The Hans India.