
Patna: In a major step towards making Patna waterlogging-free during the monsoon, the city has upgraded its drainage infrastructure under the Smart City Project, integrating nine key drainage pumping stations with advanced technology for real-time water-level monitoring and automated response.
These pumping stations have been connected to the Integrated Control and Command Centre (ICCC) located at Gandhi Maidan. Equipped with water level sensors, temperature and vibration sensors, the system ensures uninterrupted monitoring and quick alerts in case of rising water levels or equipment failure. The automation also allows the pumps to function without manual intervention, maintaining the water levels within safe limits.
As part of the Patna Smart City initiative, the system sends automated alerts directly to mobile phones, ensuring immediate response by technical teams in the event of irregularities. This initiative aims to provide a permanent solution to the decades-old issue of urban flooding in the city.
To further strengthen this, screen cameras have been installed above sumps and filtration units, allowing round-the-clock (24×7) surveillance of the drainage operations from the ICCC. The fully functional control room operates in three shifts, ensuring real-time coordination during heavy rainfall.
This upgrade, executed at a cost of Rs 7.8 crore, is also aligned with the state’s larger urban transformation mission under the Mukhyamantri Samagra Shahari Vikas Yojana, launched in July last year. The scheme includes development projects such as drainage management, road repairs, park beautification and other civic infrastructure improvements across urban Bihar.
The nine upgraded pumping stations include:
Saidpur, Yogipur, Yogipur NBCC, Eco Park 1, Eco Park 2, Eco Park 3, Pahari New, Pahari Old and Pahari NBCC.
Authorities say the sensor-based system not only improves drainage efficiency but also helps reduce the response time during emergencies. With alerts sent instantly to mobile devices, any sudden rise in water levels or system malfunction can be swiftly addressed.
The new system reflects Patna’s leap toward sustainable urban management, aiming to transform the monsoon from a crisis into a controllable season.