Jaipur: With monsoon around the corner, anxiety is mounting among residents living near the city’s major drains, many of whom fear a repeat of last year’s flooding and waterlogging. While the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) claims that around 80% of the city’s 10 major drains have been cleaned, residents say several stretches remain clogged, raising concerns over the civic body’s preparedness for the rainy season.
Bhairon Nagar Nala
Bhairon Nagar Nala
Jaipur’s major drains, including Nag Talai, Kartarpura, Brahmpuri and Laxman Doongri nullahs, have long been associated with flooding and, at times, tragic incidents during heavy rainfall. Residents living along these drains say even moderate showers can turn into a nightmare when water enters homes and streets.The Kartarpura Nala highlights one of the biggest challenges. The drain is divided between the JMC and the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA). JMC officials claim their portion has been cleaned but work on the JDA-controlled stretch is yet to begin. As a result, residents see little benefit from the partial cleaning.At Nag Talai, a 7-km-long drain, nearly 200 metres remain to be cleared. JMC XEN (Projects and Garage) Balram Meena said encroachments, accumulated waste and weakened soil have made the task difficult. “The ground has become so fragile that any major intervention could endanger nearby houses. We are, however, trying to complete the remaining work within the next four to five days,” Meena said.Residents argue that delays cannot continue indefinitely. “We have been demanding cleaning work for years. We want to live in a clean and safe environment,” said Mohammad Aslam, a local.A drone survey conducted by JMC has revealed illegal constructions around the Brahmpuri and Laxman Doongri nullahs. In some locations, structures and pillars have altered the natural flow of water, causing garbage and silt to accumulate.Meena said the situation is further complicated by technical limitations. “Houses have come up on both sides of these drains, making it difficult for machines to enter. Manual cleaning is restricted under court orders. Besides, the L&T machines available in Rajasthan can operate up to 200 metres, whereas some stretches require equipment capable of reaching 300 metres or more,” the XEN said.For residents such as Rahul Verma from the Chaar Number Dispensary area, the concern is immediate. “We hoped the drainage system would be fixed this year, but little seems to have changed. During the rains, drain water enters our homes and sometimes even contaminates drinking water lines,” Verma said.The cleaning efforts alone will not solve the problem unless JMC and JDA work in tandem. Coordinated action between the two agencies is crucial to ensuring that drains are cleared effectively before the monsoon arrives.
