VALPOI: People in the state are waiting the monsoon showers as they seek respite from the scorching summer heat. However, in Valpoi the oncoming monsoon has becomes a cause of worry for the locals of ward no 7, who have expressed apprehension over the incomplete work in the area.
The residents have expressed much concern over the newly constructed drainage system, saying that two of these works are still incomplete. They further said that these two projects have to be extended till the town bridge, where the rainwater can freely flow into the river basin, otherwise, the chances of flooding in the surrounding areas of the Unity High School are increased manifold.
The problems arose when the concerned authorities, in the work carried out under the Valpoi beautification project, constructed a drain right from Hathwada and left the outlet open behind the Unity High School, without connecting it to the main nullah. The concerned authority says that the drainage work is projected to them till this point, (near Hero Honda showroom), as per their contract and plans, and said that they have completed the same in due time.
In another similar case, another drain which is under construction is diverted again towards the Unity High School. This drain carries water from the Civil Court area, under the main road, thereby increasing the risk of flooding in the area.
A senior citizen, examining the state of the drains as they are presently left, said, “This year the rain water from ward no 7 will get accumulated around the Unity High School, and the authorities are least bothered about the consequences. The water will be a death trap for the resident and students, especially the tiny tots, who may venture into them to play or sail paper boats.”
Moreover, an official of the irrigation department, who conducted an inspection of the area said that the chances of flooding have greatly increased as the area around Unity High School is on the same level of the stream and so the water does not flow to the river naturally and accumulates there. He further pointed out that the stream has not been de-silted thereby reducing its depth, which will be an obstruction to the flow of water. He has called on the authorities to de-silt the stream before the onset of monsoons, as it could lead to disastrous results. He has also called upon the authorities to extend the drain so that the water flows directly into the nullah.
It may be recalled that earlier the whole area from Hathwada to Unity High School were low lying land and during the monsoon, the water used to get collected here. While, in process of beautification, most of the low lying land was filled with mud by the concern authority, overlooking the fact that there is no space for the water to flow away and this will result in water from the stream flowing back into the area around Unity High School.
Moreover, the residents feels that if the drains is not completed and connected to the main nullah, then the collected water will get accumulated in the private property which is located adjacent to the Unity High School. The situation made more serious as now there are two drains constructed, and the outlets of both are left open near the school.
If precautionary and safety measures are not initiated, then this situation could prove dangerous for the small children studying in this school, who may accidentally venture into the flooded area and risk their lives.
Residents say that if the drains are extended to end up into the nullah, then this problem is solved permanently. However, the authorities just do not see the situation from the residents’ point of view. The residents said that only an accident will open the eyes of the authority, but hope that some poor child will not have to sacrifice his or her life to open the eyes of the authorities.
