Prayagraj: Taking serious note of waterlogging in several posh localities following heavy rainfall, senior administrative officials on Friday conducted a detailed review of the city’s drainage system and discussed long-term measures to address the problem.Apart from district officials, corporators Vinay Kumar Mishra (Allapur), Shivsevak Singh (Allapur) and Ashish Dwivedi (George Town and Tagore Town) attended the meeting.A point-wise assessment was conducted to identify the causes of waterlogging, drainage connectivity gaps, drain capacities and pumping arrangements in key flood-prone areas, including George Town, Tagore Town, Liddle Road, Allapur, Baghambari and Salori.The corporators said these localities are situated in low-lying areas and receive rainwater from Civil Lines, the Public Service Commission and adjoining neighbourhoods through the drainage network. During heavy rainfall, the volume of water exceeds the carrying capacity of the drains, leading to waterlogging. They also pointed out that road-widening and construction activities had reduced the capacity of old drains at several locations.To find a permanent solution, the corporators suggested diverting water from Balsan directly to the pumping station through an alternative drainage line instead of routing it via George Town. Officials directed the concerned departments to conduct a technical study covering all aspects, including construction of the proposed drainage line and augmentation of pumping station capacities, and prepare a detailed project report along with cost estimates.A technical assessment was also ordered to examine the feasibility of widening the Dandiya Nala and connecting it to the Allapur pumping station. If found viable, the capacity of the pumping station will be enhanced.Regarding Sohabatiya Bagh, officials directed the removal of hume pipes and clearance of choke points caused by construction activities and encroachments over roadside drains. They also proposed developing an open square drain connected to the Mori Drain.A proposal was also made to construct a deep sump well near Sangam Petrol Pump. Water collected in the sump well would be discharged into the main drain through suction and pumping machinery, helping effectively control waterlogging in the area.The meeting also reviewed the status of the bypass drain along Jawaharlal Nehru Road. Constructed by Jal Nigam in 2002, the drain has remained defunct for over two decades as it passes beneath a railway bridge and connects at the Rauza intersection. Senior officials directed departments to identify choke points by making necessary cuts at three to four locations along the drain and restore it to full functionality by cleaning it with super-suction machines.Upon being informed that a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) machine would be required to identify suitable locations for the cuts, officials instructed district authorities to coordinate with the concerned departments and arrange the machine at the earliest.Officials also directed a technical study to assess the feasibility of connecting water pumped out from the Georgetown police station area to the bypass drain along Jawaharlal Nehru Road. Jal Nigam, the Ganga Pollution Control Unit, PWD and the municipal corporation were asked to conduct a joint study and submit a report at the earliest.The proposed pumping station near CMP Degree College was also discussed, with officials directing that the project be expedited. They further ordered measures to increase the capacity of the main drain into which the pumped water would be discharged. The pumping station is expected to provide a long-term solution to the area’s drainage issues.Officials also directed preparation of an updated contour and drainage map of the entire area. The map will detail drain connectivity, water-flow direction, low- and high-level points, and pumping arrangements, enabling scientific and long-term planning of the drainage network. Strict instructions were also issued to ensure that the drainage system is not connected to the sewer network under any circumstances.Directives were issued for immediate desilting of lines maintained by the Ganga Pollution Control Unit in Georgetown and Tagore Town, and for connecting the C.Y. Chintamani Road drain to the deep drain. Officials also ordered the reopening of old drains that had been blocked or affected by road construction and widening works on Malviya Road and Jawaharlal Nehru Road.Further instructions included ensuring proper drainage at the Rauza intersection by opening chambers wherever required, clearing the bypass drain by opening enclosed RCC sections and deploying suction machines at multiple locations, and safely barricading and restoring areas affected by excavation work near Kriti Scanning.
