Decades-old Bandipora town drainage system crumbling without upkeep

Bandipora, Mar 30: Decades-old town drainage system in Bandipora district headquarters in north Kashmir has been crumbling "without proper upkeep," much to the annoyance of the public as concerned authorities, including district administration, have been accused of doing "little to nothing" to address the lingering problem.

Besides giving a grotesque appearance, it has people debating over hygiene issues with rising temperatures in summer months, making it impossible to tolerate the foul smell emanating from the open drains. To add to the chaos, excessive discharge and rains often flood the system with filthy water flooding roads and, at times, seeping into homes.

Notably, apart from cosmetic measures, the drainage system remained unchanged for decades when the town was rebuilt in 1963 under a master plan by Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad following the massive blaze of 1962. "The open drains are an embarrassment for us; it has been an ugly blot on the face of the town," Salman Mir, a town resident, said.

Doctors suggest open drains pose a great risk to children playing on the streets and indirectly affect others, too. "Open drains are a potential threat of contamination," one expert who monitors epidemics in the district told Greater Kashmir.

"Moreover, our water supply lines pass through these contaminated drains, and many times fecal contamination of water occurs," he said, adding, "These drains attract flies and other insects, and then they become sources of infection and food poisoning." "Many places have intermittent water supply and when empty lines are sucked in dirt and excreta from drains, due to negative pressure that causes water-borne diseases," he added on condition of anonymity.

A pediatrician doctor added, "These drains are breeding grounds for bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Children are more susceptible to infections and exposure to contaminated water or surfaces, which can result in diseases like diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, or skin infections."

Notably, a Rs 4 crore project funded by Urban Local Bodies (ULB) for an improved drainage network, first initiated in 2018- 2019, saw works to the tune of over 63 lakhs getting executed, which included making drains underground in Nowpora and market areas of the town.

The project was later stopped for balance funding and was again approved in 2020 by ULB under languishing projects; however, following COVID-19, the project was suspended.

Later, the Executive Engineer Municipal Council office Bandipora (MCB) intimidated the division about the pending balance works of the project DPR of "well-versed engineering consultation survey," amounting to 428.30 lakhs. Greater Kashmir is in possession of three documents that reveal the details of the project and reservations expressed by R&B in giving up the project, which was then approved by Chief Engineer PW(R&B) north Kashmir on 15-12-2023 and put to tenders twice. The components included making the decades-old drainage system in the town area in the district headquarters underground. The project demanded that a drainage system be laid after road excavation works and to give it a proper slope for the water to discharge in the outlets without blockage.

Notably, the MCB had pitted for shifting of pipelines, too, which R&B says was not included in the project apart from other utility works. Besides, just "three months set deadline," first between July to September and then October to December, R&B expressed reservations.

There were utilities like "excavation of roads, shifting of pipelines and electricity lines and transformers", that were not included, the Assistant executive engineer, R&B Bandipora, Shahid Saleem earlier told Greater Kashmir, adding besides asking "two-year deadline" for shifting of utilities, the project would have gotten into many hurdles involving other departments.

He added the project would have incurred damages to roads "worth Rs 10 crore", and also after execution, the drains would have "clogged in some time due to which drainage water would seep into houses," prompting rework, considering this, "we didn't support the project," the AEE said adding Deputy Commissioner's nod too in suggesting it's closure.

Notably, the agency, in communication with ULB and higher authorities, suggested reservations expressed by civil society. "It was due to already executed work in the market area becoming a nuisance as the project has nearly failed," Mohammad Saleem, a town resident and a shopkeeper, said. However, without asking about utility costs, the R&B suggested the existing underground drainage system was "sufficing" the purpose in the town and following the listed concerns, the "project was shelved," last year. Present Executive Engineer MCB Bandipora, Aijaz Ahmad Khan, admitted that the project DPR was "faulty" as the agency didn't consider utilities and that the already executed works are "defunct." He said the project cost elevation was also not recommended. The officer accepted that the already existing drainage system was "crumbling" but claimed that it had not received funds for a de-siltation for this year. The officer said besides recommending a survey for a project for fresh project DPR, the department will initiate some work to repair drainage and "deepen" spots wherever flooding is persistent, this financial year.