Residents’ body lashes out at Noida Authority over waterlogging

President of Confederation of NCR Residents’ Welfare Association said over 20 residential areas in Noida faced flood-like situation this rainy season

Given the apathy of roads and sectors during rains, the Confederation of NCR Residents’ Welfare Association (CONRWA) has blamed Noida Authority for failing to precautionary measures before this monsoon season.

Waterlogging under Mahamaya flyover after heavy rain on Monday. (Sunil Ghosh/HT FILE)

The residents’ welfare body on Tuesday wrote to district magistrate and Noida authority apprising them about ‘flood-like’ situation in many sectors and condition of roads in the Noida.

CONRWA criticized functioning of Noida authority and demanded its officials to change the way they function.

PS Jain, the president of CONRWA said, “The authority spends hundreds of crores on construction of drainages and roads every year, but all efforts are washed out by a few minutes of rains.”

Over 20 residential areas and several commercial sectors in Noida witnessed flood-like situation this rainy season, he said.

Drainages and storm water lines are not properly aligned to handle water flow, which leads to clogged drains and ultimately to water logging on roads and traffic snarls, Jain said.

Rather than using pumpsets to pump out water from streets after the damage is done, the Authority should plan in advance and avert such situation from arising again and again, CONRWA suggested.

CONRWA suggested the authority to hold officials accountable if water logging takes place in their respective jurisdictions.

Read I Waterlogging from morning rain chokes traffic in Noida, Ghaziabad

On the other hand, district magistrate BN Singh said, “The problems being faced by people because of water logging have been taken into consideration. I have recently ordered there will be weekly meeting with the officials of district including Noida authority to address such perennial problems. A plan is in offing to mitigate the sufferings.”

Recently, just two days back, nearly two hours of rain created heavy waterlogging in areas such as Dalit Prerna Sthal, Botanic Garden, Sector 63, Sector 78, Labour Chowk, Mahamaya flyover under pass. The situation worsened and severely affected the traffic movement. Pumps were later used to dewater the roads.