Prayagraj: Divisional Commissioner Lokesh M along with other officials inspected various sites in city where the authorities of the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) and relevant departments are carrying out silt removal, drain widening and the rectification of choke points to prevent recurrence of waterlogging on Tuesday.While reviewing the progress of the work and the drainage system, divisional commissioner directed officials to ensure that the measures taken are not merely temporary fixes but are aimed at developing a permanent and effective drainage system.Divisional commissioner first visited Balsan Crossing to inspect the cleaning operations of the drains situated on both sides. He ordered immediate silt removal from the drains and strictly instructed that sewage water must not mix with the drainage system under any circumstances. Additionally, he directed that safety measures, such as installing mesh covers, be implemented for open drains and locations posing a risk of people falling in.He also inspected the cleaning work of the drain on Jawaharlal Nehru Road—running towards Parvati hospital and extending up to the area opposite Sangam Petrol Pump. Finding the cleaning unsatisfactory at several locations and the slow pace of silt removal, he ordered the use of bucket machines for cleaning and directed that effective monitoring of the work be ensured. Expressing displeasure over the lack of expected progress, divisional commissioner also ordered the withholding of the Municipal Corporation Chief Engineer’s salary.Instructions were issued to open the covers at several points along the drain to remove silt and also to replace concrete covers with mesh grates to facilitate easier mechanical cleaning in the future. Moreover, directives were also given to prune vegetation growing over the drain and to cut the road at necessary points opposite Sangam Petrol Pump to connect the drain to the lower-level drain, ensuring uninterrupted water drainage.During the inspection of the bypass drain, choke points were identified at several locations within the underground drain. At some spots, cleaning using suction machines proved impossible despite excavating the ground. Instructions were issued to prepare a comprehensive map of the entire drainage network, identify choke points, and set up permanent access points including by cutting into the road surface where necessary to facilitate cleaning.An inspection of the drainage systems on both sides of the road was conducted at the intersection near the Georgetown Police Station on CY Chintamani Road. Stress was laid on clearing choke points and removing silt by opening drain covers at critical locations, as well as implementing necessary improvements based on a drainage plan for the area to ensure smooth water flow. At the Medical College intersection, areas prone to waterlogging were assessed, and instructions were given to set up a proper and permanent drainage system, involving road cutting where required.A joint inspection of MG Road in the Civil Lines area was also carried out alongside the District Magistrate (Prayagraj) Manish Kumar Verma. Directives were issued to improve the drainage infrastructure on both sides of the road between Subhash Crossing and Coffee House, and to clear choke points and silt by opening drain covers at necessary locations. To address traffic congestion caused by vehicles parking on the main carriageway, the traffic police were instructed to prohibit on-road parking.Discussions were also held regarding the development of MG Road into a ‘model road’ based on a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy. The proposed action plan focuses on organizing the road and making it encroachment-free by removing illegal parking and unauthorized vending zones, streamlining traffic and parking arrangements, and undertaking extensive beautification of the road and its surroundings. The objective is to transform MG Road into an organized and exemplary model road for the city.
