Bihar: Nitish Kumar's govt to probe Patna waterlogging engineer-wise

The Urban Development and Housing Department (UDHD) Minister Suresh Kumar Sharma on Thursday constituted an investigation team to identify the causes and culprits of waterlogging in Patna amid the incessant rainfall from September 27 to 30. A three-member investigation team has been set up to probe the case. The Ministry has asked the committee for the report in seven days and in 15 days, action will be announced against the culprits.

The three-member investigation team includes Sanjay Kumar, Special Secretary of UDHD, beside Managing Director of Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUIDCO) Amrendra Prasad Singh and Commissioner of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) Amit Kumar Pandey. According to reports, the Municipal Development Minister has been blaming BUIDCO and Patna Municipal Corporation for waterlogging. Due to severe waterlogging and no proper drainage of water for more than a week, the people had to face a lot of difficulties.

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The Urban Development Minister Sharma has asked the investigation team to clearly state the specific reason for waterlogging in every area. The Ministry also said that the report must contain the names of the area-wise engineer responsible for the waterlogging. They have also asked the committee to inspect all the 38 sump houses in the city. the reports containing the list of equipment purchased by the PMC for cleaning the drains and sanitation works are also to be included in the report. Local people and ward councilors have also been instructed to talk in this regard, as per reports.

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Over 70 killed in the floods

Apart from Patna, low-lying areas like Kankarbagh, Rajendra Nagar, Gardani Bagh, Dak Bungalow and SK Puri have also been submerged in water due to heavy rainfall and choked sewage. 22 NDRF teams had been working round the clock and rescued more than 10,000 people from flood-affected regions with rescue teams rowing people across the flooded roads in inflated boats. Indian Air Force helicopters were deployed to drop relief material in flood-affected areas. The stagnant water also required combatting as to mitigate the risk of a disease outbreak.

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The Indian Meteorological Department has announced that rainfall received so far is 10 per cent more than the normal occurrence and has issued a red alert. India has recorded its highest rainfall this Monsoon since 1994.

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