Ludhiana: As the season’s first major monsoon spell reached Ludhiana shortly after midnight, the Municipal Corporation shifted into emergency mode, with Mayor Inderjit Kaur personally inspecting the city’s drainage infrastructure during the early hours to ensure there were no disruptions in rainwater disposal.
Heavy showers began around 1 a.m., raising fears of waterlogging in several low-lying localities. Within an hour, the Mayor was on the ground, visiting key pumping stations and monitoring the city’s flood management arrangements.
Her first stop was the Tibba Road pumping station, where she assessed the functioning of pumping machinery and interacted with employees deployed on the night shift. She later visited the GT Road bridge to inspect the water flow in the Buddha Dariya before proceeding to the pumping station near Madhopuri and the Sewage Treatment Plant on Tajpur Road.
During the inspection, the Mayor instructed officials to ensure that every pumping station remained operational around the clock throughout the monsoon period. She emphasised that uninterrupted pumping was essential to prevent rainwater from accumulating on roads and in residential areas.
The late-night inspection came as a surprise to the staff on duty. Officials informed the Mayor that pumping systems were functioning normally and that standby generators had been kept ready to maintain operations in case of any electricity failure.
Speaking during the visit, the Mayor underlined that effective monsoon management requires continuous field monitoring. She said civic teams must remain available on the ground during every spell of rainfall so that any blockage or technical issue could be addressed without delay.
Unlike many cities with dedicated storm-water drainage networks, Ludhiana largely depends on its sewerage infrastructure for rainwater discharge. As a result, the efficient functioning of pumping stations becomes crucial during periods of heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, Municipal Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar has directed officials to strengthen monsoon preparedness by expediting the cleaning of drains, sewer lines and the Buddha Dariya. He has also instructed officers to remain in the field during adverse weather and supervise water drainage operations personally.
The Commissioner further ordered immediate repairs wherever manhole covers or drain grates are damaged or missing to avoid accidents during waterlogging. Officials have also been asked to maintain emergency materials, including sandbags, at vulnerable locations along the Buddha Dariya.
With the monsoon expected to remain active over the coming days, the civic administration has intensified monitoring of pumping stations and drainage channels in an effort to minimise flooding and ensure smooth movement across the city despite persistent rainfall.
