3cr stormwater drain fails to solve waterlogging woes

Vadodara: Residents of Rajstambh Society near Lalbaug pond were hoping to have respite from waterlogging this monsoon after Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) spent Rs 3 crore on a stormwater drain. However, the money seems to have gone down the drain as the problem only worsened this year.
The Lalbaug pond has been a major reason for waterlogging in the area around it.Residents of several societies suffer when the water level in the pond rises. In the past, crocodiles have come into the area from the pond and had to be rescued.

Rainwater from several areas around the Polo Ground, Bagikhana, R V Desai Road, SRP Campus, and other areas get drained into the Lalbaug pond. For the societies near the pond, heavy rains spell trouble as this water passes through the societies and they get waterlogged. The problem is particularly grave if the pond has a high level of water.
VMC made a stormwater drain in the area last year and promised that the area would be free from waterlogging this year. The drain was to take water from the pond to the Vishwamitri River through the palace compound. VMC officials said that the stormwater drain took water close to the river from where there was an open channel that opened into the river. Officials promised no waterlogging would now take place in the societies near the pond.
The claims fell flat on July 24 when there was heavy rain in the city. Societies near the pond, particularly the Rajstambh Society, faced severe waterlogging. Residents said that the rains were lesser as compared to the deluge in 2019, but waterlogging was similar. “The water took time to recede too. The stormwater drain system made by spending Rs 3 crore has failed,” said VMC corporator Balasaheb Surve.
Surve has been claiming since the project was taken up that the drain was faulty and would not work. “Nobody heard us at that time. The municipal commissioner too went by the assurance given by officials that there was no problem with the drain,” said Surve. He has sought a vigilance inquiry into the project.
A VMC official said that the entire system to discharge excess water from Lalbaug through the stormwater drain was complete. “There has to be some other problem. Our understanding is that the stormwater drain is not faulty. It can carry water and the problem lies somewhere else,” the official said.
The stormwater drain seems to have made no difference in solving the waterlogging in the area. Instead of draining water that accumulates in the area, they should focus on diverting water that comes in this direction away.