Surat: The under-construction metro rail project in the city, expected to improve public transport once operational, has triggered concerns over waterlogging and drainage blockages even before trains begin running.Construction on two metro corridors spanning nearly 40 kilometres is underway across Surat. Municipal officials say work at several locations has damaged existing stormwater and sewage lines, resulting in complaints of overflowing drains, blocked sewage and rainwater accumulating on roads and in low-lying areas.Civic inspections have found silting and debris inside damaged sewage lines, creating choke points and restricting the flow of wastewater. At some locations, officials reported unusually severe obstructions, including concrete waste deposits as thick as 10 feet inside stormwater drainage manholes. Removing the material required drilling and extensive clearance work.According to Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) officials, the impact has extended beyond the immediate metro construction sites, with waterlogging being reported in areas that had not historically faced such problems.To address the damage, the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) has paid SMC Rs 9.27 crore against a total demand of Rs 17.35 crore for repair and restoration work. SMC said it began undertaking restoration after residents continued to complain despite repeated communications with metro authorities.“SMC is receiving complaints related to blockages in the sewage drain network for the past two years and we have been writing to the metro authorities to take necessary actions. We are currently undertaking restoration and repair for which we have received Rs 9.27 crore”, said an SMC drainage department official.SMC has identified damage to sewage drainage lines at 11 locations. Metro authorities have paid for repairs at three locations, while work at another three is being carried out directly by GMRC. For the remaining five locations, SMC has asked GMRC to bear the restoration costs.GMRC officials, however, maintain that utility shifting and repairs were carried out in accordance with plans approved by SMC. According to them, disagreements have arisen at locations where the civic body is seeking broader redevelopment of drainage infrastructure rather than restoration of the lines affected by metro work.“At many locations our teams diverted utility lines after approval from SMC but later the civic body claimed that they want to redevelop the entire line”, a metro official said, adding that some demands are still under evaluation.An SMC official from Rander Zone said disruption to the stormwater network around the metro tracks has been felt as far as a kilometre away at some locations. The official attributed new waterlogging complaints to waste dumping and damage to drainage lines during construction.Zonal teams have held several meetings with metro officials and carried out clearance and restoration work in affected areas. The continuing dispute between SMC and GMRC highlights the challenges of coordinating large-scale metro construction with existing underground drainage infrastructure, particularly during the monsoon season.
