The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has unveiled a Rs 15-crore project to construct a dedicated storm sewer line along Rahon Road, aiming to permanently resolve the severe water stagnation that has plagued the area for years. The proposal seeks to segregate rainwater from the domestic sewer network, thereby preventing heavy flooding. However, as the project is currently in the tendering stage, residents and commuters will still have to endure waterlogging during this year's monsoon season while a contractor is hired and construction takes place.
Key Entry Point Turned Lake
Rahon Road serves as a vital entry point to the city and transforms into a virtual lake even during light showers. The persistent flooding heavily impacts multiple surrounding localities, including Jai Singh Nagar, ChanderLok Colony, Jainnagar, Sarwan Park, Naginder Nagar, Guru Vihar, Tilak Nagar, Baldev Nagar, Subhash Nagar, New Sarwan Park, and the main Rahon Road stretch.
Civic officials admit that the area currently lacks a separate stormwater drain. Rainwater flows into the domestic sewer lines, which are undersized and clogged with silt, causing them to backflow, submerge the streets, and rapidly deteriorate the road condition.
Failed Previous Attempts
Earlier temporary measures by the authorities have completely failed to solve the issue. On May 25, 2017, the civic body spent Rs 84 lakh on a super suction machine cleaning drive, but the problem re-emerged within a few months. Later, during 2019-20, disposal pumps were installed to flush water from the road into the sewer lines, but they also failed to prevent waterlogging.
To provide further relief, a senior official confirmed that tenders have now been floated to install a rainwater harvesting system along Rahon Road. Concurrently, the Ludhiana Improvement Trust is planning to lay its own storm sewer line outside the municipal limits and has sought the necessary permissions from the local bodies department.
Residents Skeptical
Local residents and business owners remain highly skeptical of the new project due to a history of civic delays. Balwinder Singh, a resident of New Shakti Nagar, noted that while a new plan emerges every year before the monsoon, nothing changes on the ground. He added that it would be a major achievement if the system is fully operational before the next rainy season.
Meanwhile, area shopkeepers complain that local businesses face severe losses as customers avoid the flooded route. Shopkeeper Rajesh Kumar highlighted that the stinky floodwater routinely breaches shops, damages two-wheelers, strands cars, and triggers massive traffic jams that trap ambulances and school buses.
