Mango Jamshedpur: Clogged Drains Cause Widespread Flooding and Health Hazards

Jamshedpur: Mango residents are forced to manouver inundated roads as drainwater overflows on to the roads, especially after rain .

Mango has a population of around 5 lakh people.

“Most of the drains are clogged as they are not cleaned regularly. The situation worsens after every spell of heavy rain,” said Vikas Yadav, a resident of Mango Zakir Nagar.

“Water from drain overflows on to the road in front of the gate. My children face difficulties while going to school,” he added.

“During the recent civic polls, which took place for the first time after Independence, contestants promised us that they would solve the drainage problem, but nothing has happened on the ground yet,” Yadav said.

A former engineer of PWD, Ramesh Dayal, said, “The drainage system has not been designed according to the topography of the land. Many of the drains flow out to the Subarnarekha. The sewerage is not treated before being discharged into the river. Sediments of the drains are also not cleaned regularly.”

“The Mango civic body does not have the entire map of the drainage system of the area. So it is clueless about how to maintain the drains,” he added.

A private school teacher, Soni Kumari, said, “During the rainy season, children can't often attend classes due to submerged roads. Unauthorised shops have been set up over drains at many places, leading to blocked water passage and flood. Dirty water enters many houses, posing a health hazard for locals. Mosquitoes also get a good breeding ground.”

Newly elected mayor of Mango civic body, Sudha Gupta said, “A blueprint will be designed to ensure proper drainage. The drains will be cleaned regularly and open drains will be converted to underground drains.”