A part of the historical city of Pataliputra, Kumhrar is a new Assembly constituency created after the delimitation exercise in 2008. It has been carved out of Patna Central segment.

Kumhrar is being considered as one of the safest seat of the BJP. Reason: The party has been winning the Patna Central seat since 1990. Deputy chief minister of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi won here from 1990 to 2005 before Arun Kumar Sinha of the BJP took over the mantle.

Though the BJP had been winning from the constituency for almost two decades, the waterlogging problem is yet to be addressed. Kankerbagh turns into a virtual hell during the rainy season. A drainage system is under construction for the past five years at Hanuman Nagar. It is yet to be completed.

“There is no drainage system in place. Every year the government promises to solve the waterlogging problem. But Kankerbagh continues to flood. If a proper drainage system cannot be developed in a residential colony in 15 years what can we expect from the elected governments?” asked Anil Kumar, a resident of Kankerbagh.

The deluge has been visiting the area for the past 15 years without a break. “Even a little downpour creates havoc. A few have sold their dwellings to get out of the “flood zone”. Others are still nursing the hope of a ‘dry’ rainy season,” said Rahul Gupta, owner of a betel shop at Machuatoli.

Tea stall owner Bansi said: “Laluji vowed to make Patna roads as smooth as the cheeks of Hema Malini. A few others promised to make it Paris of Bihar but the dark tunnel appears endless in this area.”

Rajendra Nagar area has also been facing the waterlogging problem for more than two decades.

“Private colonies rarely face such problems. Why and how such situations crop up in the colonies planned and developed by the government agencies? Open loot by powerful contractors and engineers leave little funds for work to be done properly,” said Manoj Sinha, a businessman.

Ankit Singh, a resident of Rajendra Nagar, where the deputy chief minister resides, said: “The reconstruction of roads aggravated the waterlogging problem. Every lane and bylane has been concretised. But it has become a big curse. These roads were not constructed properly. They are above the level of the houses.” He added that the construction of a new Patna bypass road also contributed to waterlogging in the southern part of the area.

       l Kumhrar votes today