Welcome rain chokes Noida

NOIDA: The brief spell of rain might have brought some relief but it also evoked unpleasant memories of waterlogging and traffic jams. Residents, however, are preparing for the worst considering the Noida Authority's poor track record. The Authority's claims of desilting drains rang hollow when last week's showers led to choking of drains, which showed no signs of being cleaned. Officials explained that the pre-monsoon showers had exposed some gaps in their preparation and they were trying to plug them. "The drains in our locality are clogged with garbage. It's a yearly drill before the monsoon. Still, every time it rains, the drains start overflowing and the area is swamped," said Ravikant Singhania, who stays in Sector 12. There are a number of storm-water drains in Noida, most of which empty into the Yamuna while some flow into the Hindon. Two major drains-in Shahdara and Noida-empty out the city's drain water. Though the Authority claims the drains have been completely desilted, a visit to the Sector 18 market and Atta Market suggests otherwise. The drains in the area were choked and the backflow spilled onto the roads in Sector 18. A major part of the open drains was found to be covered with construction material, including sand, gravel and cement, belying claims about cleaning the drains. Heaps of silt and other material removed from the drains was accumulated on the roads. Plastic bags and other waste items were strewn at other places. Traffic cops said waterlogging was reported regularly from sectors 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 12, 18, 22 and other areas in the absence of proper desilting. "We press a crane into service as waterlogging often leads to breakdown of vehicles, causing the traffic to back up," said a senior traffic police officer.

Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/Welcome-rain-chokes-Noida/articleshow/20839728.cms