Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) Commissioner Saloni Sharma conducted an extensive field inspection of major storm water drains, drainage channels, and disposal pumping stations across the city on Saturday, aiming to prevent waterlogging during the upcoming monsoon season. Accompanied by officials from the Engineering and Sanitation wings, she spent nearly three hours reviewing desilting and cleaning progress at key locations.
Review Meeting and Progress Update
Earlier, Sharma chaired a review meeting at the KMC office, where she sought detailed updates from Executive Engineers regarding drain-cleaning operations in their respective divisions. Officials informed her that approximately 80% of the cleaning work on the city's major drains had been completed, with the remaining work progressing rapidly.
Key Inspection Sites
During the inspection, the Municipal Commissioner visited around 15 key locations, including the drain connecting Model Town to the Mughal Canal, Maharaja Agrasen Chowk, ITI Chowk, Budhakhera, Uchani, Baldi, SP Colony, drain number-1, Karna Canal (Mughal Canal) phases I, II and III, Jaton Gate, Chand Sarai, and the drain leading from Hansi Chowk towards Bagwadiya Gas Agency. She reviewed ongoing cleaning work and assessed the civic body's preparedness ahead of the rainy season.
Deadline and Directions
Sharma directed officials to complete cleaning of all major storm water drains by June 30 and instructed that smaller drains and roadside drains also be cleaned on priority. She emphasised that silt removed from drains should not be left on the roadside for long and must be lifted immediately to prevent it from flowing back into drains or causing inconvenience to commuters.
Pumping Stations and Manpower
To ensure uninterrupted drainage during heavy rainfall, the Commissioner directed that all disposal pumping stations remain fully operational at all times. She instructed officials to ensure adequate manpower, backup generators, and all necessary resources at every pumping station so that water drainage is not affected during power outages or technical issues. She also directed Executive Engineers to conduct random site inspections, while Junior Engineers were asked to monitor cleaning work daily and submit regular progress reports.
Ram Nagar Drain Inspection
During her visit to the Ram Nagar drain, Sharma instructed the executing agency to immediately increase the number of workers so that the remaining cleaning work could be completed within the stipulated deadline. Of the approximately 4.5-kilometre-long drain stretching from Kachwa Road to Meera Ghati pumping station, nearly 3 kilometres have already been cleaned.
Infrastructure and Public Appeal
She also directed officials to replace damaged or broken drain slabs without delay to prevent garbage and construction debris from entering the drainage system and obstructing rainwater flow. Sharma urged citizens not to dump garbage, plastic waste, construction material, or any other waste into drains or sewer channels.
