Faulty design leads to water-logging in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: Water-logging on the roads has become a common feature even when the city receives a drizzle and one can imagine the pathetic situation if rain lashes the city for days together.

The stagnation of water has been attributed to the faulty design of roads and drains. Besides, illegal constructions and shops running on the slabs of drains are choking free flow of rainwater.

Apart from the low-lying Velampeta and Kobbarithota generally known for water-logging, rainwater is now stagnating even in well-planned pockets of the city. 

The roads are well laid but lack proper sloping at several places.
"Water-logging is not only unsafe for the public but also damages the roads built with crores of rupees. When roads are laid for an event or for a VIP's visit,  generally designing is ignored. Hence, even if roads are being repaired at regular intervals, water stagnation still persists," said S. Bhaskar, a retired engineer.

"Roads should be so laid that rainwater can be channelised properly."
When water stagnates, driving on a two-wheeler is difficult, particularly, when a four-wheeler zips past the vehicle splashing water on to the neighbouring motorists. Many feel that the corporation should conduct a survey to find out the road stretches where water stagnation occurs and rectify the defects.

"If the corporation feels stagnation cannot be resolved in a few densely populated and unplanned areas in the city, pumps should be arranged to bale out water," said P Akash, a native of I Town area.

A GVMC official said they they would identify the areas that need immediate intervention. "We would also carry out desilting works to enable rainwater flow freely through the drains without any clogging or water-logging on the roads," he added.