Patna: Around 25 per cent of Patna’s drainage network has been damaged due to construction work carried out by four major agencies — Patna Metro, the Road Construction Department (RCD), BUIDCO and the Bridge Construction Corporation. If repairs and reconstruction are not completed in time, large parts of the city could once again face waterlogging during the monsoon.
The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) recently conducted a survey of damaged drains across the city and submitted a detailed report to Divisional Commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar. Acting on the findings, the Commissioner has directed all concerned departments to complete drain construction and repairs before the onset of the monsoon.
Deadlines Set for Desilting and Pump Repairs
The administration has also fixed timelines for cleaning all seven major drains and repairing motor pumps installed at sump houses. PMC has been instructed to complete the tender process by March 15 and finish desilting work by May 15. BUIDCO has been asked to repair all motor pumps by May 30 so that rainwater can be discharged quickly during heavy showers.
Rainwater from the city flows out through the Saidpur, Anandpuri, Kurji–Rajiv Nagar, Serpentine, Bakarganj, Bypass and Yogipur drains. Nearly 75 per cent of the water is released into the Ganga through DPS, while the remaining 25 per cent exits via the Badshahi drain.
Zone-wise Damage and Responsible Agencies
In Kankarbagh zone, Metro construction has damaged drains near Mithapur Bus Stand Gate No. 2. The box drain from Aryabhatta College to the Mithapur sump house remains blocked, affecting Wards 29 to 32. Near Ramkrishna Nagar Metro Station, drains have been diverted close to Pillar No. 69 and near Rajendra Nagar Terminal on Old Bypass Road.
In the same zone, BUIDCO is constructing a culvert near Metro Pillar No. 78. At Nandlal Chhapra, water discharge at the New Bypass drain outlet is affected due to a Swiss gate.
In Nutan Rajdhani zone, Metro work has damaged the drain in front of Buddha Smriti Park. Road Construction Department work has lowered the road from the Vikas Bhawan roundabout to Bailey Road. In Ward 12, a box drain near Manohar Mandir is being connected to another drain.
In Patliputra zone, near Gandhi Maidan Gates 2 and 3, rainwater flows through Gyan Bhawan into the Metro campus and then into the Bakarganj drain. A new drain has been built after demolishing the old one, but its reduced capacity is causing waterlogging near Gate No. 3.
In Azimabad zone, RCD has not completed pitching work on Gulzarbagh Haat Road and Darar Mandi Road in Ward 57, where drains are also damaged.
In Bankipur zone, the Bridge Construction Corporation has not built drains between Ashok Rajpath Pillars 25 and 26 and near PMCH. Meanwhile, BUIDCO has damaged manholes on Lalji Tola, Railway Hunter Road and Lohani Pur Road in Ward 36.
In Patna City zone, BUIDCO is yet to complete 150 feet of drain construction near City Field School in Ward 62.
Length of Major Drains
• Saidpur Drain – 5,448 metres
• Anandpuri Drain – 3,050 metres
• Kurji–Rajiv Nagar Drain – 5,480 metres
• Serpentine Drain – 6,039 metres
• Bakarganj Drain – 1,454 metres
• Bypass Drain – 4,300 metres
• Yogipur Drain – 4,050 metres
Special Teams to Inspect Drainage System
District Magistrate Dr Tyagarajan SM reviewed monsoon preparedness and directed the formation of special inspection teams under senior officers. These teams will examine drainage pumping stations, roads, bridges and the entire catchment area to ensure there is no obstruction in water flow.
He also sought updates on encroachments along major drains, including Badshahi, Serpentine, Ashiana–Digha, Nandlal Chhapra, Bakarganj, Saidpur and Mandiri, and instructed officials to complete desilting work within the stipulated timeline.
The administration has warned that any delay in repairing damaged drains could put large parts of Patna at serious risk of flooding during the upcoming monsoon.
