Prayagraj: Sangam city’s recent bouts of waterlogging, which left several neighbourhoods struggling with knee-deep water and even forced rainwater into homes, have pushed Nagar Nigam to strengthen the city’s drainage network with more than seven km of new drains in some of its worst-affected areas. Three major projects in Allapur, Sohbatia Bagh and Tagore Town have already been approved, with Rs 7.51 crore earmarked from the 15th Finance Commission fund.The projects are aimed at improving the flow of rainwater to pumping stations and main drainage channels, particularly in areas such as Allapur, George Town, Tagore Town and Bharadwajpuram that repeatedly face waterlogging during heavy rain.The biggest project will connect Kundan Guest House in Allapur with the railway underpass and further to Bakshi Bandh pumping station. The drain will cost Rs 2.87 crore and is expected to provide a direct outlet for rainwater accumulating in the surrounding localities.Another Rs 3-crore project has been approved for a drain from Sohbatia Bagh towards Dadiya. The RCC drain will also be covered, improving both drainage and movement in the area. In Tagore Town, a 2,500-metre drain will be built from Sangam petrol pump through Kundan Guest House towards LIC Colony Road at a cost of Rs 1.64 crore.Officials said surveys for the proposed drainage works have already been completed and tenders will be processed soon. Prayagraj Municipal Corporation (PMC) chief engineer Dinesh Chandra Sachan said construction was expected to begin within two months after completion of the tender process.The need for the projects was underscored during the recent heavy rain, when drainage failures exposed the vulnerability of several localities. On Rakshabandhan, afternoon rain caused backflow from clogged drains and sewer lines in Kareli, Karelabagh, Bhawapur, Gadha Colony and Rajrooppur, with water entering several houses and rising to knee level in some places. Residents struggled to salvage household belongings kept on ground floors.Meanwhile, a truck became stuck at a sunken stretch of Ganga Path in Daraganj, further highlighting damage caused by prolonged waterlogging and poor drainage.In addition to these, rains have also caused massive inconvenience at the temporary bus stand at Vidya Vahini Maidan (near CMP degree college) as the entire ground is filled with mud and slush, while water accumulated along the road after afternoon showers, forcing passengers to wade through filth, slush and water to board their buses.
