Nagpur: The season's first significant showers on Friday brought respite from the scorching heat, but at the same time exposed civic issues in areas such as Zingabai Takli and Sadar where waterlogging was reported. The rain also brought focus on improper planning in infrastructure works on the city's outskirts.
Heavy waterlogging was witnessed at Loha Pul near Cotton Market after the showers on Friday. One side of the underpass was completely submerged, causing difficulties for commuters, especially two-wheeler riders. The underpass is known to experience waterlogging even after moderate rain, and similar incidents are reported almost every year, but no steps have been taken to resolve it, said motorists.
Overflowing rainwater from Sadar flyover drenched motorists and pedestrians moving beneath. Motorists complained this happens after every heavy rain due to absence of proper drainage channels to divert rainwater. Heavy water accumulation on roads in Sadar, which locals blamed on poor drainage system.
Waterlogging was also reported in some areas in Gorewada and in front of Tirpude College in Civil Lines. Roads in the Besa-Pipla area adjacent to the city turned into muddy stretches and residents struggled to navigate through slush-filled lanes on Friday evening. Internal roads, many of which are either dug up for infrastructure projects or remain under construction, became unusable after the brief downpour.
The problem extended to Saturday morning when a sand-laden truck got stuck in the sludge in front of a school in Ghogali and overturned. Nitin Nikhare, a resident of Shri Sai Nagar in Besa, said an internal road barely 400 to 500 metres long is under construction since December last year. "The condition of the road has turned bad to worse. The access to a nearby school has been blocked," he said.
Another resident, Atul Borkute, alleged that soil excavated from nearby sites has been dumped on the road. "The loose soil turns into slush after rains. A few residents slipped due to the sludge. Authorities have failed to act despite repeated complaints," he said.
Bharat Nandanwar, chief officer of the Besa-Pipla Nagar Panchayat, attributed the situation to sewer line works being carried out by NMRDA. He said the project is expected to continue for another one-and-a-half years. "We asked NMRDA officials to restore the roads on priority," he said.
Public Works Committee chairman Mukesh Kale admitted that such works should have been completed before onset of monsoon. "I will conduct an inquiry and hold the contractors accountable," Kale said.
