Prayagraj: Residents of the waterlogging-prone George Town and Allahabad North areas may finally see long-awaited relief, with separate proposals for a new pumping station, underground pipeline and three drainage channels now taking shape to strengthen city’s water disposal system.Allahabad North MLA Harshvardhan Bajpai has said that a Rs 30-crore project is being planned for construction of a new pumping station near CMP Degree College and laying of underground pipeline up to Mori Gate. In a post on social media platform X, the MLA said he had raised the long-pending issue of waterlogging in City North and George Town during a meeting with chief minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow.According to Bajpai, the chief minister has directed Urban Development Department to take necessary action on the proposal and asked principal secretary, urban development, P Guru Prasad, to ensure that the project is taken up on priority. The proposed pumping station is expected to substantially improve drainage in George Town and adjoining areas, which face severe waterlogging during heavy rain.Meanwhile, the administration has also prepared a separate proposal for construction of three new drains to tackle waterlogging in George Town and surrounding localities. The proposal has been sent to the chief secretary for approval, following which the construction process is expected to begin.The proposed drains will run from CMP towards Madhwapur and Parade, from Sangam petrol pump towards Allapur, and through the George Town-Tagore Town area towards the sewage treatment plant (STP). Officials believe the additional drainage channels will improve the flow and disposal of rainwater in some of the worst-affected pockets.The initiatives come amid growing concern over repeated waterlogging in the city following spells of heavy rainfall. A comprehensive master drainage plan is also being prepared for Prayagraj, though officials acknowledge that its implementation will take time.The municipal corporation has engaged C&DS for preparing the master drainage plan, with the survey itself expected to take around six months. To prevent delays, the progress of the exercise is being reviewed every 15 days.Once the draft plan is ready, consultations will be held with councillors, former councillors and local residents before it is sent to the govt for approval, with the aim of developing a long-term solution to the city’s recurring waterlogging problem.
