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Heavy rains expose loopholes in drainage system
The district headquarters was upgraded into a corporation from municipality but facilities here are very poor, including drainage system. Low pressure rains are exposing the loopholes of drainage system in the city. Due to encroachments on main drainage canals around the city, low lying areas and the recently extended colonies are getting inundated under rain water during the rainy season.
Srikakulam: The district headquarters was upgraded into a corporation from municipality but facilities here are very poor, including drainage system. Low pressure rains are exposing the loopholes of drainage system in the city. Due to encroachments on main drainage canals around the city, low lying areas and the recently extended colonies are getting inundated under rain water during the rainy season.
Mirthibatti covers seven km around the city on the north-eastern side from Kotha Road Junction to Nagavali River near Ponnada Bridge and Saigiri temple. Previously, it was an irrigation channel of Nagavali river project Narayanapuram anicut.
Subsequently, it was turned into drainage due to the conversion of agricultural lands into residential areas on a large scale.
Now, the drainage canal is under encroachments at Adivarampeta, Balaga, Illisupuram, ASN Colony, Dwarakanagar, DCCBE Colony, Sana Street, Konna Street, Visakha-A, B Colonies, Ramalakshmana Junction, Bankers Colony, Mahalaxminagar and Vambay Colony.
As a result, all the residential areas adjacent to Mirthibatti are under water cover during rainy season. Another irrigation channel started from Kusalapuram village to Fazulbegpet in the city also being occupied by various residents at Bypass, PN Colony, Gujarathipeta, Hayathinagar and Laxmitheatre areas. Due to heavy rains for the last several days, rain water stagnated in the residential areas and on roads.
To avoid the problem, underground and open drainage systems were proposed by the previous governments. An underground drainage system was also proposed and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu gave an assurance that it would be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore covering all areas around the city. Besides, seven pumping stations would be set up to pump out the water. However, it remains on paper.
An open drain was also proposed to clear rain water (storm water) from the city at an estimated cost of Rs 119 crore under the Central government scheme Amrut. But it is yet to be completed.
When contacted, public works department superintending engineer BH Srinivasa Rao said that the state government has sanctioned Rs 40 crore to clear storm water through the existing Mirthibatti and works would begin soon.
