Polythene-choked drains behind recent waterlogging, say Noida officials

Officials of the Noida authority claim to have found a large number of polythene bags during drain desilting work. They added that choking of drains due to polythene was the main reason for waterlogging in Noida due to the rain in August 1 that had resulted in traffic jams for over four hours.

Officials of the Noida authority claim to have found a large number of polythene bags during drain desilting work. They added that choking of drains due to polythene was the main reason for waterlogging in Noida due to the rain in August 1 that had resulted in traffic jams for over four hours.

Residents said that sludge deposited on roadside during earlier desilting work has flown back into the drains with rainwater. (Salman Ali/HT Photo)

Officials added that polythene is proving to be a big hindrance in desilting and they have brought the issue to the notice of top officials.

The authority’s public health department has been facing criticism from city residents for choked drains and massive waterlogging in the rain. The department’s drain desilting work is underway across the city.

“Polythene bags have been found abundantly in drains, establishing that despite the ban on polythene, people use these bags freely,” said a contractor authorised for drain cleaning.

The contractor said drain cleaning becomes all the more difficult during rain as drains overflow due to silt deposits. Underground utility cables pose another hurdle.

“At many places these underground cables are exposed in the drains, causing difficulties in cleaning. These cables act as obstructions to smooth flow of water. There is also the possibility of damage to the cables, in which case a criminal case can be lodged against us,” said the contractor.

Saumya Srivastav, deputy chief executive officer (DCEO), Noida authority, too said the garbage pumped out of drains shows that polythene is dumped in large quantities in the drains, which is a major reason for choked drains.

“We appeal to residents to avoid polythene bags as they are not environment-friendly. They are a major sanitation hazard and a burden on sanitation staff. They wreak havoc on cattle, drains and everything around us,” he said.

However, city residents said proper coordination between government departments in Noida has always been a problem.

“The authority and pollution department are responsible for the continued usage of polythene bags. Road and streets are not cleaned properly and so pollution officials do not check the use of polythene bags. This is just an excuse by the public health department and we do not buy it. They are simply passing the buck,” said Harish Joneja, secretary, Noida Entrepreneurs Association (NEA), which recently lodged complaints of waterlogging with Noida authority.

“The drains are badly choked and all the sludge deposited on roadside during drain desilting flowed back into the drains with the rain,” he added.