Buidco Launches Aggressive Drive to Tackle Patna's Monsoon Waterlogging Crisis
The Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (Buidco) has significantly escalated its initiatives to combat the persistent issue of waterlogging in Patna during the monsoon season. In a decisive move, repair and maintenance operations on all permanent and temporary drainage pumping stations (DPS) are being executed with urgency to guarantee efficient rainwater drainage throughout the city.
Leadership Directs Hands-On Oversight and Accountability
During a comprehensive review meeting with officials and staff, Animesh Kumar Parashar, the Managing Director of Buidco, issued a clear directive. He instructed all personnel to avoid sole reliance on external agencies for pump maintenance, emphasizing the necessity for regular personal inspections of the upkeep work. Concurrently, cleaning of all sump wells has commenced to eliminate silt and ensure gratings are properly cleared.
Officers have been mandated to personally supervise these activities and provide detailed reports to headquarters. "Once the work is completed, videography of the sites will be conducted, followed by a thorough reinspection at the headquarters-level to confirm proper execution of all tasks. Patna boasts a well-established network for draining out rainwater," Parashar stated.
Extensive Pump Deployment and Infrastructure Details
Patna currently operates 56 permanent and 35 temporary DPS. Additionally, 35 more temporary DPS have been established in low-lying areas prone to severe waterlogging and lacking permanent pumping stations. These temporary setups, particularly along the stretch from Patna to Danapur, involve pump installations as alternative measures for rapid removal of accumulated rainwater.
"A total of 364 pumps will be utilized for city drainage during the monsoon. Among these, 265 are electric-powered pumps, while 99 are diesel-operated sets. Specifically, 256 pumps are installed at permanent DPS, and 83 pumps are deployed at temporary stations," the MD explained.
Organizational Restructuring for Enhanced Monitoring
To bolster accountability and ensure continuous monitoring throughout the monsoon, Buidco has restructured its mechanical works into three independent divisions. This reorganization aims to facilitate more effective supervision of drainage operations across various city sectors.
- Patna East Mechanical Works Division: Headquartered at Pahari, responsible for the Azimabad and Patna City circles.
- Patna Central Mechanical Works Division: Based at Malahi Pakri, overseeing the Kankarbagh and Bankipur circles.
- Patna West Mechanical Works Division: Located at Rajapur Pul, covering the Patliputra and New Capital circles, Patna West, and Danapur regions.
Parashar added, "The headquarters and jurisdictions of these new divisions have been clearly defined, with specific responsibilities assigned to all concerned officers." This strategic overhaul underscores Buidco's commitment to mitigating waterlogging and enhancing urban resilience in Patna.
