Sandeep Poundrik

Urban development and housing department secretary Sandeep Poundrik on Friday submitted an action plan in Patna High Court to rid the city of waterlogging in the next season.

The court had directed Poundrik to appear before the bench of Justice V.N. Sinha and Justice P.K. Jha, hearing the waterlogging case.

Poundrik said: “I have formulated some measures to be taken in 0-6 months so that waterlogging problems do not recur next year.” The plan includes short-term and long-term measures. The court agreed to the short-term measures. “Our priority is short-term ones,” the bench said.

The state government said it would take 8-9 months to prepare detailed project report (DPR) for long-term measures. The court said if it takes that long for DPR, it would take years to execute it. However, as the focus was on short-term measures, DPR for long-term measures would be taken up at the next hearing, on October 9.

The short-term measures include a detailed survey of existing drains, assessment of encroachment and removal of squatters besides regular desiltation of drains.

Earlier, principal advocate general Lalit Kishore said the waterlogging problem does not exist in all 72 wards. He said Patna has various departments and lack of co-ordination compounds the problem. At this, Justice Sinha told Poundrik: “You are the secretary of the department. It is you who have to see all this. Which are the areas you will take up first?” Poundrik said: “In the first phase, the New Bypass area from Anisabad to Pahadi and Kankerbagh would be taken up.” The court gave its nod. Poundrik asked for a court directive which was accepted.

When Poundrik said he has to go on central deputation in a few days, Justice Sinha said: “We will not come in the way of your career, but who’ll run the administration then?”

The bench then asked Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) additional commissioner Sita Choudhary to inspect all drains, take steps to remove squatters and desilt them. The court directed Patna senior superintendent of police to assist PMC. Additional municipal commissioner (sanitation and planning) Shrisat Kapil Ashok’s mobile number (94704-88562) was made public. Residents can call up and register grievances between 3pm and 4pm every Saturday.