MC seeks funds from Centre for storm-water sewerage system

With only 11% of the city being covered with storm-water sewerage in Ludhiana, the city is facing an increase in water pollution and environmental degradation at Buddha Nullah during the past couple of years.

With only 11% of the city being covered with storm-water sewerage in Ludhiana, the city is facing an increase in water pollution and environmental degradation at Buddha Nullah during the past couple of years.

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The city gets drowned under water when it rains heavily during the monsoon season. Almost all low-lying areas are submerged in water due to the absence of a proper sewerage system.

The Municipal Corporation (MC) has now shot off a report to the ministry of urban development to make grounds for funds to set up a proper system for rain-water drainage. The network of the storm-water sewerage in 2001 was 8km, which was extended to 17km by 2002. No extension has taken place thereafter.

The report sent to the ministry states that, while 85% of the city area is covered under water supply system and 76% under sewerage system, storm-water coverage has remained at a stagnant 11%.

“In the absence of adequate coverage, rain water finds its way through sewer network resulting in its overloading. In areas where there is no sewer network, rainwater causes damage to the road network as well,” states the official report.

As per official records, storm-water network provides a coverage to 15% of the total population of the city. Out of the total 159.37sq km of the city's area, storm- water network is provided only in 17sq km.