1. Home
2. Jammu Kashmir

Drainage schemes started years back, yet be completed

SYED YASIR. Dated: 3/25/2017 10:27:18 AM

SRINAGAR, Mar 24: With an effort to overcome the problem of water logging during rainy days, the construction work of drains of around 400 were started by various departments, but half of its number has not yet completed.
Due to shortage of funds, construction work of around 200 drains has been stopped over the years in valley. However, under the centrally-funded Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme, the state government is intended to have 90 per cent of the drainage schemes completed in Srinagar city and various other townships of Kashmir valley.
The various agencies of government few years back initiated to construct drains in Srinagar and its adjoining areas and major townships of valley to over the problem of water logging in newly constructed colonies, but due to shortage of funds the work on these drains have not been completed.
Even from minor rains, the most of the city colonies, especially the newly constructed colonies remain water logged for weeks causing hardships to people.
According to official data only 37 per cent of the Srinagar city and its adjoining areas have proper drainage system. To overcome the problem the state government is optimistic that under the AMRUT scheme, the centre will provide around Rs 400 crores in the next five years for drainage system in Srinagar
Presently, existing drainage system in Srinagar is a decade old, making the urban localities prone to water logging during rainy seasons.
The poor drainage system was the main reason for frequent water logging in Srinagar.
The lack of coordination between various departments was one of the main reasons for no improvements in the drainage system.
The R&B department first makes the construction of roads, and then they spend a lot of money in making the drainage system and subsequently on repairing of the roads.
Now government has issued strict directions to the departments for coordination in developmental projects.
Departments have been asked that proper drainage system should be put in place before developmental works like construction of roads or buildings are taken up in any area.