Lucknow: Over 1,100 locations in the city had storm water drains merged with sewage lines, causing drains to choke, overflow, stink and raise risk of disease, states a survey by a private company conducted for Lucknow Municipal Corporation. Many drains are filled with mud, rubbish, and construction debris, and several chambers and drain walls were broken or damaged.Documents prepared in several municipal zones show the issue is not limited to a few localities. More than 220 problems were identified in Zone-1, over 100 in Zone-2, around 80–100 in Zone-3, about 100 in Zone-4, over 100 in Zone-6 and at least 56 in Zone-7.
These zones account for over 700 documented locations, while municipal compilations put citywide figure at over 1,100 points where drains and sewer lines are either merged or severely affected. Several wards appear repeatedly in inspection records, indicating large clusters of drainage problems.In central parts of the city, Hazratganj, Narhi, Nazarbagh, Aminabad, Golaganj and Kaiserbagh areas have numerous locations where drains are choked or connected to sewer lines. In inner residential and mixed-use zones, Rajendranagar, Naka Hindola and others have large number of problem points.In north, Para, Jankipuram and Vikasnagar appear frequently in inspection records. In eastern and expanding residential belts, multiple sectors of Gomtinagar, Paper Mill Colony and Chinhat areas are affected. In western and older settlements, Alamnagar, Saadatganj and New Haidarganj have repeated entries indicating clogged drains and sewer mixing.In peripheral and developing colonies, Ismailganj, Indiranagar–Takrohi and Lal Bahadur Shastri wards also show numerous cases of drainage and sewer problems.In many places, drains have insufficient slope or depth, causing water to stagnate or flow slowly. Engineers recorded locations where drains have no proper outlet or are located far from main trunk drains, forcing wastewater to accumulate or enter sewer lines. Sewer walls were damaged to allow drains to discharge into them, increasing burden on underground pipelines. Residents are facing frequent overflow of drains, foul smell, mosquitoes and unhygienic surroundings. Waterlogging after rainfall and during sewer blockages is another recurring issue.Urban engineers say as per Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) norms, storm water drains and sewer lines should be separate, but in many parts of the city there is no separation. Jalkal department general manager Kuldeep Singh said, “Our plan is to separate storm water drains and sewer systems, improve drainage and reduce problem of overflow,” he said.
