Patna: Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Tuesday flagged off 19 Quick Response Teams (QRTs), on the directions of municipal commissioner Yashpal Meena, to serve as first responders to waterlogging complaints across the city. The teams have been deployed across all six municipal circles and will coordinate with the civic control room to ensure faster drainage of waterlogged areas.PMC has divided its 75 wards into 19 operational zones, with each zone assigned a QRT comprising one zonal inspector and two sanitation workers. Equipped with walkie-talkies, the teams will remain in constant touch with the control room and senior officials and will be mobilised immediately upon receiving information about waterlogging.The civic body said the initiative is aimed at reducing response time during heavy rainfall and improving coordination between field staff and the central control room. Officials said the teams would function round the clock throughout the monsoon season.The QRTs have been distributed across the New Capital, Patliputra, Kankarbagh, Bankipur, Patna City and Azimabad circles, covering all municipal wards. The deployment comes as the city braces for more spells of rain after recent showers caused waterlogging in several low-lying localities.PMC officials said ensuring a prompt response, effective drainage and better coordination remains a priority during the monsoon. The PMC has already strengthened its flood preparedness by deploying pumping stations, dewatering pumps, ward-level nodal officers and control room monitoring to tackle urban flooding.
