Buidco finalises preparations to tackle waterlogging in Patna

Patna: The Bihar urban infrastructure development corporation ltd (BUIDCO) has finalised comprehensive preparations to effectively tackle waterlogging in Patna during the upcoming monsoon season.BUIDCO managing director Animesh Kumar Parashar has issued strict instructions for urgent repair and maintenance of all permanent and temporary drainage pumping stations (DPS) on a war footing to ensure smooth drainage across the city. “Accountability has been clearly fixed at every zonal and headquarters level. Officers of each division and headquarters have been made personally responsible for the proper functioning of DPS. Any negligence or laxity found during the work will invite strict action,” he said.During a review meeting with officers and employees on Monday, the MD directed officials not to rely solely on agencies but to regularly inspect the maintenance of pumps. He instructed that cleaning of all sump wells and gratings must be completed by May 30, with subsequent verification and reinspection to be carried out by headquarters-level officers.A special mock drill has been scheduled for the night of June 1 from 11pm to 2am to assess the ground-level preparedness of the entire drainage system. During this drill, real-time monitoring of staff deployed at sump houses will be conducted. The inlet, outlet, grating, manhole and connecting drains of all sump houses will be thoroughly checked. The response time of night-duty staff will be evaluated and all pumps will be operated simultaneously to ensure they are functioning at full capacity.The city has a total of 56 permanent and 35 temporary DPS. For effective water drainage, 364 pumps will be deployed, including 265 electric and 99 diesel pumps. While 256 pumps are installed at permanent DPS and 83 at temporary DPS, eight new DPS have also been made ready to provide additional support during the monsoon.Parashar has directed all zones to keep all pumps in fully operational condition, ensure availability of operators, and maintain sufficient stock of pipes and other necessary materials. All required resources have already been arranged for effective drainage during the rainy season, he added.