In race against rains, 35 spots prone to waterlogging identified

Bhopal: Ahead of the monsoon season, traffic police have identified 35 waterlogging-prone spots across the city where severe traffic congestion was reported during heavy rainfall last year.

Based on the findings, traffic police will write to the concerned civic and construction agencies, asking them to take corrective measures at the earliest to prevent traffic snarls this year.

Police officials said the identified locations witnessed major traffic disruptions due to poor drainage systems, uneven roads, damaged stretches and inadequate water disposal arrangements. The agencies concerned will be asked to undertake preventive measures, including repair of damaged roads, cleaning of drains and improvement of drainage infrastructure before the onset of monsoon.

Waterlogging spots around Rani Kamlapati railway station:

According to traffic police, waterlogging occurs at Mansarovar trisection during heavy rainfall due to the sloping and uneven nature of the road. The drainage system is inadequate. Police suggested that a drain should be constructed and covered with iron grills. Similarly in front of Bansal Plaza, police said both sides of the road should be elevated to a proper level. The water outlet system is currently above the road level and should be lowered and redesigned properly for effective drainage.

At Ganesh Mandir Trisection, police said the road beneath the Metro bridge is elevated on both sides with a depression in the middle, causing water accumulation. The road should be levelled, and proper drains should be constructed for water disposal. Cleaning of the main nullah was also suggested.

Between both the bridges near Ganesh Mandir, police said waterlogging occurs due to encroachment on the drainage passage.

Near Bhopal railway station:

According to traffic police, Metro construction work is underway near Alpana Trisection outside Platform No. 6 of Bhopal railway station. Due to this, the drain stretch between Platform No. 6 and Alpana Talkies has become filled with debris. Waterlogging occurs on the road leading from Platform No. 6 because the drains have not been cleaned properly.

Police suggested that drains on both sides of the road should be cleaned regularly. They also recommended that the pending construction work of the square and the road should be completed at the earliest.

Major waterlogging spots identified on Hoshangabad Road:

Ten spots have been identified on Narmadapura Road by traffic police where waterlogging takes place. Most of them are on the service road which is filled with potholes. It becomes difficult to drive on the service road during rainfall. Traffic cops suggested that road should be repaired to resolve the problem.

Between Banganga and Polytechnic Squares:

Traffic police said water accumulation occurs at the spot due to the road divider. They suggested that pipes should be installed in the divider to facilitate proper drainage of rainwater.

Between Kamla Nagar police station and Nehru Nagar:

Police said the drainage nullah in the area is damaged. Cleaning and repair of the nullah have been suggested to resolve the problem.

Near MANIT Square in front of Riviera Town:

Police said rainwater does not reach the drain due to the footpath obstruction. They suggested constructing drainage channels in the footpath.

Between Board Office and Jyoti Talkies:

According to police, waterlogging takes place due to the slope of the road and narrow drains. Police suggested levelling the road gradient and improving the drainage system for proper water discharge.

Additional DCP (Traffic) Basant Kaul said that traffic police conducted a survey of spots where waterlogging occurred last year. He said traffic police will write to the concerned construction agencies responsible for maintaining these roads, asking them to assess the waterlogging issues before the onset of monsoon and take necessary measures for their resolution so that traffic jams caused by water accumulation during rains can be avoided.