Drain modernisation goes for a toss in Wynchpet

Vijayawada: Outfall drain modernised at a cost of Rs.8 crore connecting Nizam gate centre in Wynchpet to Kamsali pet has been rendered useless.

Though the outfall drain modernisation works have been completed by November 2016, the drain water is not flowing as per the expectations of the locals due to not lifting of garbage daily and technical defects in construction.

The residents of Wynchpet, Kothapet and Mahantipuram have been suffering for many years due to stagnation of drain waters. To find a permanent solution the VMC had widened the underground outfall drain at Nizam gate, but it was of no use.

The VMC has paid Rs 12 crore to Railwaya for construction of outfall drain. After many years of delay the works were finally completed by November 2016.

The VMC has taken up the works to widen the 70 year old existing drain for free flow of drain water from Wynchpet area towards Kamsali pet and RR Pet. Due to increasing population in old city, the existing old culvert under the railway tracks with radius of only two feet is not sufficient for flow of drain water.

As part of the drain modernisation works the Railways have made pre cast slabs with 7.50 feet x 8 feet width and installed under the Rail tracks with the help of huge crane for the flow of drainage water.

When the outfall drain works were completed the local resident heaved a sigh of relief as drain water would not stagnate at Nizam gate centre, which is located in Wynchpet.

Due to piling up of tons of garbage at Nizam gate centre, the drain water is not flowing in spite of the widening of the outfall drain. Besides, the VMC sanitation staff is not regularly removing the garbage from the Nizam gate centre adding to the woes to the local residents.

Local corporator Bijan Bi has said the VMC staff is not removing the garbage regularly to avoid stagnation She underlined the need to change the design of the new outfall drain at Kamsali pet for free flow of storm and drain water.

The outfall drain height has to be increased at Nizam gate centre and it should be lowered towards Kamsalipet to resolve the problem.

A local resident Tajmul Hussain said Wynchpet is one of the oldest areas in the city and water logging problem persists for over 70 years. He, however, expressed satisfaction over the modernisation of outfall drain but stressed the need for some changes to be made towards Kamsalipet for free flow of drain water.

Stagnation of drain water leads to breeding of mosquitoes in Wynchpet, Mahantipuram, Kothapet and other colonies.