Barely a couple of hours of rain is enough to make residents of Velampeta struggle to save their homes from getting inundated.
This year, the monsoons have been unkind. With the city being repeatedly lashed by rains under the influence of cyclones, the residents of Velampeta faced a hard time, and the issue continues to plague the colony. Being a low-lying area, lack of proper de-siltation, and maintenance of storm water drainage system by the civic body led to severe water-logging on the streets. Till now, the issue of clogged drains has not been sorted.
The uneven roads result in water flowing into the homes. “The houses are nearly two feet below the road level and this creates a major problem when it rains,” said Chandmal Agarwal. Residents rue that authorities have not taken up measures for continuous maintenance of drains or prevention of encroachments along the drains. The presence of a slum area bordering the locality has left the residents with a host of civic issues to deal with.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Garbage is thrown liberally on the streets, which eventually clogs the drains. Because of this, diseases like malaria are rampant here,” Mr. Agarwal added.
Lack of parking places is another major concern. “None of the residents of the colony can buy a car. Where is the place to park it?” he questioned.
With the Indira Priyadarshini Municipal Stadium lying in utter neglect, the residents feel that the place can be turned into a park and a part of it can be used for parking slots.
ADVERTISEMENT
Members of the Rajasthani Sanskritic Mandal, who live in Velampeta, are eager to take up the responsibility of developing the stadium if the authorities agree.