Residents join forces to fix sewerage issue at Yakutpura

Yakutpura: After the officials of HMWSSB failed to pay heed to their persistent problem of sewerage overflow owing to blockage of the existing pipeline, the residents resorted to crowd funding decided to change the pipeline linked to major nala and upgraded to contain 2-year old problem.

For more than a year, the residents of Madina Nagar (Block B) in Rein Bazar division under Yakutpura constituency had been regularly complaining to the HMWSSB officials regarding the persistent problem of sewerage overflow in area.

After the problem aggravated and the waters entered their washrooms and toilet, they decided to take the matter in their own hands. "There are around 20 houses which were affected by the sewerage blockage. The officials of HWMSSB undermined the situation and even after giving regular representations, the works remained pending and none of the officials responded", said Imran Khan, a resident.

Imran Khan said that, vexed by tedious formalities and moving the officials, the residents started to develop the pipeline and connected the pipeline to major nala. He said he himself called labourers and started the works on Wednesday.

The works started with an estimate of Rs 10,000, sponsored by Imran. However, he clarified that if there was an increase in expenses, the locals were ready to contribute through crown funding. The next work will be upgradation of pipelines underground. "In these 20 houses there is a regular drain overflow and residents are unable to use their washrooms, as water remains logged. In most of the houses, elderly and kids are suffering from diseases due to the sewerage overflow and foul smell," Imran added.

Abdul Rahman, a social activist, derided the official apathy. "People are doing the things which should have taken up by the civic department," he lamented. He said that he had also taken up the issue on social media and also tweeted on it, by tagging HWMSSB, but there was no response. He asked why the officials keep on pending their works even after funds were sanctioned and also released.