Panchkula: With the monsoon season drawing near, gaps in preparedness have come to the forefront in Panchkula. The municipal corporation (MC) has set a June 15 deadline for cleaning road gullies and drains, but the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) and Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) are yet to announce their plans for areas under their jurisdiction.
Recurring Waterlogging Issues
Every year, several roads, markets, and residential areas in Panchkula face waterlogging due to clogged gullies and poor drainage systems. In some cases, water enters homes, causing significant distress. Residents point to a lack of coordination among departments as a key concern, emphasizing that a joint, citywide strategy is essential ahead of the monsoon.
Division of Responsibilities
Jurisdiction over drainage is divided among agencies: HSVP maintains gullies within its sectors, the MC handles others, while PMDA is responsible for main sector-dividing roads. However, both PMDA and HSVP have not made their preparedness plans public so far. Several road gullies across the city were found choked, broken, and filled with garbage, raising fears of flooding during the monsoon, which is expected around June 24-25.
MC's Cleaning Drive
Meanwhile, the MC has launched a citywide drive for “comprehensive” cleaning of roads and drains to ensure smooth rainwater flow. MC commissioner Vinay Kumar said all officials have been directed to complete cleaning work by June 15 and submit daily progress reports. “To ensure transparency and accountability, geo-tagged ‘before and after’ photographs of each task have been made mandatory,” he said, adding that preventing waterlogging remains a top priority. Progress will be closely monitored to meet deadlines and maintain quality. The commissioner also appealed to residents not to dump waste in drains, as it blocks water flow and disrupts drainage systems.
Resident Concerns
Residents, however, say that waste cleared from gullies is often left nearby and gets washed back during rain or blown back by wind. They have demanded immediate removal of such waste after cleaning. Calling for better coordination, SK Nayar, president of the Panchkula Citizens’ Welfare Association, said residents should not have to worry about which agency is responsible. “There should be a common cleaning programme across jurisdictions so that waterlogging can be effectively prevented,” he said.
Need for Unified Approach
The lack of a unified approach among agencies remains a significant hurdle. With the monsoon expected to arrive in late June, timely action is crucial to prevent the annual ordeal of waterlogged streets and homes. Residents urge all authorities to collaborate and implement a synchronized plan to mitigate flooding risks.
