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Rajouri MC fails to solve drainage problem
Fearing epidemic, residents call for action
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, April 3
Residents of this border town had pinned high hopes on the local municipal committee after it was elected in 2005, in improving the tottering basic amenities in the town, but it has failed to solve the drainage problem, the bane of the residents.

Even as the MC authorities wait for funds from the government to improve the drainage and sewerage system, the district administration says that the urban body has to generate income on its own for carrying out such activities.

Water gushes out of a broken drain in Rajouri.
A Tribune photograph

Residents fear that the threat of epidemic is looming large in view of the coming rainy season. They say the MC should act fast to improve the drainage and sewerage system.

They complain that the problem is worse in the old city area, DC Colony, Jawahar Nagar, area adjoining Salani Bridge and bus stand and needs urgent attention.

“I fail to recollect when the drains were last repaired in the town. These lanes and drains are in dilapidated condition and must be repaired now, as water logging can cause havoc in the town and may lead to the outbreak of epidemic,” avers Sajid Dar, a resident of the old city area.

“I suspect that the councillors have forgotten their duties. We elected them just to solve these problems. They will have to manage the repairs,” he adds.

While the MC authorities agree that the damaged lanes and drains have not been repaired for decades, they attribute it to the lack of funds.

Chairman of the Rajouri Municipal Committee Rajinder Gupta admits that the lanes and drains have not been repaired for quite a long time now, but the government has failed to provide monetary support to us.

“The government has to provide us funds for carrying out such works. On many occasions, we have asked for funds for our various schemes, but so far money has not been provided,” he adds.

Commenting on the statement of the head of the committee, a senior officer in the district administration said, “The MC has to generate funds on its own by levying various types of taxes and use it for improving drainage and sewerage of the town”.