New drainage plan need of the hour

The claims of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) were once again punctured Saturday when an hour-long rainfall submerged the majority of the Srinagar areas here, causing immense trouble to the pedestrians as well as the commuters. The corporation has been publicizing its initiatives and measures, but it has failed to look into the issues that bring the situation tizzy after just a few minutes of rainfall. The men, women, and children were seen walking through the muddy water Saturday morning when the drainage got choked and led to the submerging of the roads, lanes and bi-lanes in Srinagar areas. It is unfortunate the people here are being forced to witness such an inundation again and again. One fails to understand what measures have been taken by the concerned SMC when it claims high and tall about the improvement in the infrastructure. The rainfall today morning has brought all the facts about the augmentation of infrastructure to the public and those claiming high and tall were left red-faced. The dewatering subsequently started although quickly, but it took hours for the SMC men to clear the road, which indicates the availability of a poor drainage system in Srinagar. It is the time when the concerned officials and officers should stop making claims and work in tandem to bring respite to the people from such a great inconvenience. There is a need to come up with a new drainage system, which is under consideration for a long time now. The time has come when better facilities should be ensured on the ground to put an end to the sufferings of people.