Contract assigned for clearing silt in drains

Nellore: Municipal Administration department has decided to implement comprehensive storm water drainage system by engaging a Hyderabad-based company for taking up works in the city. Sudhakara Infratech Private Limited has been given contract for taking up the works.

Residents are facing difficulties in rainy season as silt-filled canals in city causing flooding during heavy rains. The city witnessing the flash floods from 2015 due to torrential rains during November and the city has been facing troubles every year as and when heavy downpour occurs.

Considering the plight of the denizens, the State government had sanctioned Rs 70 crore for storm water drainage system by assigning the contract to Sudhakara Infra in March this year.

Municipal officials say wide canals were shrinking due to encroachments and consequent obstructions for flow of water due to human mistakes. It may be recalled that the city faced severe difficulty with flash floods in 2015 and many areas were inundated with floodwater.

The municipal administration department engaged experts to find a solution for the problem. They found that the canal system in the city was choked with silt and encroachments on the important drains that were creating problems. Civic authorities also asked 4,800 families to relocate to other parts of the city for hassle-free flow of drain water but still the process has not been completed.

Meanwhile, the state government engaged a Sudhakara Infra for the project under AMRUT scheme and it got the contract with 4.59 per cent excess. “This would pave way for free flow of drain water and there would be no problem during flash floods and also during monsoon season. The agency will take up works shortly as the State government had issued a letter of authorisation,” said a senior official from the civic body.