Several densely populated residential areas of the steel city are faced with waterlogging. A perennial feature during every monsoon, the civic authorities have little to say by way of an explanation.
The woes are compounded this time on account rising instances of vector-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya and Japanese Encephalitis. The Telegraph looks at some of the problem areas:
Burmamines-Station Main Road
A 100m stretch along the road has potholes, leading to severe waterlogging during the rainy season. The area is served by Tata Steel subsidiary Jusco.
ResidentSpeak: It’s a matter of shame that such an important road leading to Tatanagar station, passing through a fuel station, retail offices and Tata steel company quarters should be in such a state, said Manish Kumar, a computer operator by profession.
AuthoritySpeak: We’ve started fogging and spraying larvicide at all waterlogged points to prevent spread of vector-borne diseases. However, in this locality, many unauthorised garages have come up. These outlets dump waste in drains which leads to clogging, This results in stagnant water accumulation, said Jusco spokesperson Sukanya Das.
New Baradwari, Sakchi
An area of about 2,000 sq feet is waterlogged, primarily because several drains have their outlets behind Jamshedpur Civil Court. Nearby residential areas include New and Old Baradwari. The area is serviced by Jusco.
ResidentSpeak: This stretch is the reason behind many of us falling victim to vector-borne diseases. Even snakes have made an appearance. There is always a pungent smell in the area due to water-logging. We have complained to Jusco and JNAC, but nothing has been done, said Rohit Sen.
AuthoritySpeak: We have to check why the area is getting waterlogged. It could be because of encroachment on drains. We will take steps to prevent waterlogging, said Jusco spokesperson Sukanya Das.
Stagnant water at Deonagar in Sitaramdera. (Bhola Prasad)
Deonagar, Slag Road, Sitaramdera
Nearly a half-acre area, hemmed in by residential pockets of Patelnagar and the Siroman Singh Memorial School, has been waterlogged for nearly a month. The area is serviced by Tata Steel subsidiary Jusco.
ResidentSpeak: Water gets accumulated here for most part of the year, especially during the rainy season. That is why we have so many mosquitoes. We have complained to Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC), Jusco and the district administration. But no step has been taken to either clean the area or spray larvicide, said Mohinder Singh (48), a trader who lives at Deonagar.
AuthoritySpeak: Scrap dealers and illegal structures have come up because of which drains have got clogged. We will request the administration to clear encroachments so that such a situation does not recur, said Jusco spokesperson Sukanya Das.
MGM Hospital, Sakchi
There is waterlogging at various places, like for instances, near the blood bank and behind the gynaecology ward.
VisitorSpeak: It is impossible to be in the hospital without being bitten by mosquitoes at night. Now we know why. There are several mosquito breeding spots and there is no effort to at least cover these areas, said Rakesh Kumar, relative of a patient from Mango admitted to the gynaecology ward.
AuthoritySpeak: Work on an integrated drainage and sewage system for the hospital is on. It will be completed in a month or two. However, till then we will talk to Jusco to arrange for spraying of larvicide, said MGM Hospital superintendent Dr Arun Kumar.
