Heavy rainfall has once again exposed the shortcomings of Yamunanagar’s drainage system, with several areas from Jagadhri to Yamunanagar witnessing severe waterlogging. Residents of Professor Colony, Model Town and other localities have been facing difficulties as rainwater accumulated on roads and around residential areas.

Congress leader Shyam Sunder Batra criticised the government and civic administration over the situation, describing the widespread waterlogging as a “failure of the government”. He said the latest spell of rain had exposed the gap between administrative claims about improved drainage arrangements and the actual situation on the ground.

Batra said the city’s drainage system should have been adequately prepared ahead of the monsoon. Instead, several roads and residential areas were inundated following rainfall, causing inconvenience to residents and affecting normal movement.

He questioned the effectiveness of the drain-cleaning exercise being carried out across the city. According to Batra, cleaning work had reportedly been underway for nearly three months, yet the drainage network failed to cope with the rainfall.

“If drains were cleaned properly and the drainage system was prepared adequately, why are large parts of the city facing waterlogging after rainfall?” he questioned.

The Congress leader said the situation from Jagadhri to Yamunanagar raised serious questions about the preparedness and monitoring of civic works. He particularly referred to Professor Colony, Model Town and other residential areas where residents have been struggling with accumulated water.

Batra alleged that the drain-cleaning campaign had remained largely limited to formalities and demanded that the quality of the work be examined. He said public money was being spent on sanitation and drainage-related works, making it necessary to ensure proper implementation and effective supervision.

He demanded that the administration conduct an impartial assessment of the cleaning and drainage works undertaken in the city and fix responsibility wherever shortcomings are found. He also called for a permanent solution to the recurring waterlogging problem rather than relying on temporary arrangements after every spell of heavy rain.

Batra said waterlogging is not merely a traffic or inconvenience-related issue. Prolonged accumulation of rainwater can also create sanitation problems and increase difficulties for residents, particularly in residential colonies and areas with poor drainage.

He urged the administration to identify vulnerable waterlogging points, strengthen the existing drainage network, ensure regular desilting of drains and improve the city’s preparedness for heavy rainfall.

The Congress leader said repeated waterlogging during the monsoon should serve as a warning to the authorities. He said the administration must move beyond assurances and take concrete steps to ensure that Yamunanagar has an efficient and sustainable drainage system.

Batra maintained that the latest rainfall had not only exposed the city’s waterlogging problem but had also put the government’s claims regarding drainage preparedness and cleanliness under serious scrutiny.

PO/DESK