Poor drainage system a cause for concern

Vijayawada: Many localities in the city are getting inundated due to rains as there is no provision to divert the water. Busy localities are also presenting an ugly look with small ponds on road margins because of rain.

Travelling on many roads for riders and pedestrians has become a nightmarish experience. The intensity of the problem has been turning from bad to worse when it rains intermittently.

The first showers might have brought cheers on farmers’ faces, but in the city people suffered water inundated on the roads at Suryaraopet, Satyanarayanapuram, Kaleswararao Market, Samarangam Chowk, Chittinagar, Urmilanagar, HB Colony and many other places.

The problem has aggravated as there is no arrangement to drain out water from the roads. Though the storm water drains were proposed, the task is not accomplished so far. Only some works were completed in some places and many other places are still waiting for their turn to begin the drain works.

The problem is leading to deterioration of sanitation problem. Garbage bins and their surroundings are being submerged with rainwater. Continuous rain for four or five days has made the problem difficult to solve.

The problem in the Old City is more severe. At Anjaneya Vagu, drains are overflowing and submerging roads. Waterlogged streets welcome at Gollapalem Gattu, Panja, Fish Market Chittinagar, Cholera Hospital area, workshop road, Swati area, Karakatta and Rangoonsaheb Street.

Stagnation of water at low bridge is so severe that traffic jams have become part of routine life for road users. Movement of two-wheelers and pedestrians comes to a halt when downpour continues for a few minutes here.

There appears no problem to the troubles to people even during this monsoon as assurances of authorities to finish storm water drains failed to bring any change in woes of pedestrians and light vehicle riders.

By Noor Shaik