Patna Ramps Up Drain Cleaning Ahead of Monsoon

Patna : With monsoon season approaching, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified its drain-cleaning efforts, completing 50% of the work on major drains across the city. Officials have deployed mechanized cleaning teams to ensure uninterrupted silt removal, working in day and night shifts.

Alongside large drains, smaller open drains, manholes, and catchpits are also being cleared. According to municipal authorities, the initiative follows direct instructions from the Municipal Commissioner, who has mandated round-the-clock monitoring of cleaning operations. Officials have been conducting on-site inspections to assess progress.

Officials to Submit Affidavits on Drain Cleaning

In a significant move to enforce accountability, officers responsible for drain maintenance will be required to submit affidavits confirming that drains in their designated areas have been cleaned. These officers will remain responsible for the condition of drains throughout the monsoon, with any negligence or oversight resulting in direct accountability.

Citywide Cleaning Drive: Key Drainage Infrastructure

PMC’s pre-monsoon drain-cleaning campaign covers all city zones. The following major drains have been targeted for desilting:

Saidpur Nala (Azimabad area) – 3,500m

Saidpur Nala (Bankipur area) – 2,400m

Anandpuri Nala – 3,050m

Kurji/Rajiv Nagar drain – 5,480m

Serpentine Drain – 6,039m

Bypass Nala (New Capital area) – 2,975m

Bypass Nala (Kankarbagh area) – 4,300m

In total, 60% of city drains have been cleaned. Additionally, PMC reports:

Total manholes: 45,491

Catchpits: 37,021

Open/service drain length: 1,713,566m

Community Feedback and Monitoring

The municipal corporation has implemented a daily review system for drain cleaning. Feedback is being collected from local councillors and residents to ensure effective implementation. A special review format has been introduced to track progress.

Cleaning Schedule: Three Phases Per Year

PMC undertakes drain cleaning in three phases annually:

Pre-monsoon (February–May)

Monsoon (June–September)

Post-monsoon (November–December)

Officials have emphasized that cleaning will be carried out across all six zones, ensuring large, medium, and small drains are maintained to a high standard.

Quick Response Team for Complaints

To tackle monsoon-related drainage issues swiftly, PMC has deployed a Quick Response Team (QRT) at the zone and ward levels. This team remains on standby to address complaints within two hours of receiving a report.

Residents can report drainage issues to PMC’s toll-free helpline, 155304, which operates 24/7 in three shifts.

With monsoon rains expected in a few months, PMC’s intensified efforts aim to mitigate waterlogging and improve urban drainage infrastructure.