Gaya: The ongoing pre-monsoon drain-cleaning drive by the Gaya Municipal Corporation (GMC) has run into trouble due to encroachments on drains, obstructing the free flow of rainwater. These blockages are causing waterlogging in several areas, raising concerns over waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and the rapid breeding of mosquitoes. Waterlogging-related accidents have also been reported from some parts of the town.Gaya municipal commissioner Abhishek Palasia inspected several drain-cleaning sites and acknowledged that encroachments and illegal constructions are major hurdles. He said steps were being taken to remove such bottlenecks and ensure smooth flow of rainwater through drainage during the monsoon.Palasia said, “Officials concerned have been instructed to identify and clear all encroachments obstructing drains. Several locations, including Kujapi, have been flagged, and encroachment removal work is underway.” The commissioner added that the cleaning drive will be completed before the monsoon.According to the meteorological department, the monsoon typically reaches Gaya around June 15, with a margin of about a week.On execution, Palasia said the work has been outsourced as the civic body lacks heavy machinery required for removal and transportation of drain silt and waste. The expenditure on the pre-monsoon exercise is estimated to cost at around Rs 4 crore.Ward 32 corporator Gajendra Singh Chauhan said drain cleaning alone would not solve waterlogging issues. He pointed out that many sub-drains and main drains are poorly aligned and outdated, having been built over five decades ago when population density was lower. He called for widening and deepening of drains in areas such as AP Colony, Chanakyapuri, Gangobigha and Imaliachak, which are prone to flooding.Former GMC standing committee member Lalji Prasad said the ban on polythene has largely failed, with plastic waste frequently clogging drains. He stressed the need for systematic covering of drains with proper access points, along with improved alignment and expansion of the drainage network.
