Rainwater floods houses, residents of Panchkula demand sump well

Panchkula, August 20

Residents of sectors 10, 15 and 19, among others, have written to the Panchkula Municipal Corporation, regarding the issue of stagnant rainwater entering their houses. They have demanded the construction of sump well, recharge wells and a blockage wall in their area. A meeting of the residents’ welfare committee was held, wherein the residents said that they had incurred huge losses because of rainwater, all due to the MC’s failure to clean roads and gullies.

The House Owners Welfare Association (HOWA) of Sector 10 held a meeting of its core committee and said the MC officials were responsible for the losses incurred by them. They said water had entered houses, markets and even the basement of the Civil Hospital, Sector 6, on August 11.

They said, “The MC is responsible for the problems incurred and should issue a white paper on the expenditure incurred on cleaning of roads and lanes this season.”

HOWA chairman Bharat Hitaishi said the corporation issues contracts worth crores for cleaning of roads and gullies. He said, “But the same remain blocked due to lack of proper monitoring. We have raised the matter several times but to no avail.”

HOWA patron Babu Daljit Singh said the situation has remained the same for 30 years. “This year also, domestic goods worth lakhs were damaged due to rainwater, specifically in those extending from house number 465 to 486 in Sector 10.”

NC Swami, a resident, said, “Water had entered houses in Sector 15 and its market area as well. Vehicles were stuck on roads as the water level remained high.”

The residents want the MC to construct sump wells and groundwater recharging systems in the area. Bharat Hitaishi said “We have written to the MC for the constructions several times but nothing has been done till date.”

Ward 4 councillor Sonia Sood said the process of establishment of the sump well at Sector 10 has been pending for long. “The MC officials had earlier surveyed the area and we have already constructed a sump well in Sector 9. I will take up the matter with the MC office right after the code of conduct for Assembly elections is lifted.”

Area surveyed by officials

The MC officials had earlier surveyed the area. We have already constructed a sump well in Sector 9. I will take up the matter with the MC office right after the code of conduct for Assembly elections is lifted. — Sonia Sood , Ward 4 councillor