A water-logged Pradhan Nagar in Siliguri during last year’s monsoon. File picture

Siliguri, June 17: The Siliguri Municipal Corporation has asked residents to be prepared for water-logging in this monsoon because it cannot complete a project on the drainage system in town.

The delay in implementing the Rs 34-crore worth project that was sanctioned last year has led the SMC’s conservancy department to admit its shortcoming.

“We have taken some measures to cope with the monsoon this season. But we are apprehending that because of non-completion of the new drains in time, problems may arise in some of the wards,” said Mukul Sengupta, member, mayor-in-council (conservancy).

The SMC looks after the maintenance of 100 drains in its 47 wards. Currently, it has been constructing 55 more drains, mostly in Wards 31-44 in Jalpaiguri district and a few in the three wards in Darjeeling district.

“We are spending Rs 34 crore, which we have received from the Urban Infrastructural Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns under the Jawharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission,” said Sengupta. “But the implementation has been delayed because of the panchayat elections and receiving the funds late.”

Mayor Bikash Ghosh too admitted that the residents might have to face inconvenience. “We have undertaken the project to improve the drainage system, but it will take time to complete. In between, we have appointed 35 casual workers to clear the water-logging,” Ghosh said adding the SMC would also press into service five pump sets if the situation demanded.

Opposition leaders, however, alleged negligence by the SMC officials for the delay in implementing the project. “Had the civic body intended to improve the drainage system in time, the problem should not arise now,” said Ranjan Shilsharma, a Trinamul councillor.

The SMC had started constructing a high drain at Champasari two months ago, but the work was still continuing, said Manik Mondal, a resident of the area. Residents of Niranjannagar, Shibrampally, Champasari, Shantipara, Ghoogomali and 2nd Mile area apprehend that they might again face water-logging in their localities like they did last year.