This monsoon, residents of Jamshedpur can hope to see less of waterlogged streets and overflowing drains if the local civic body has its way.

Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC), which is battling manpower crunch and has to rely on outsourcing agencies for cleaning in its command area, has made a smart move and asked private companies to free clogged drains near their areas of operation.

JNAC special officer Dipak Sahay said letters had already been issued to major private companies discharging effluents that are carried by the drains, asking them to finish the cleaning job well before monsoon so that the residents don't have to grapple with stinking, waterlogged streets during heavy showers.

Some of the corporate entities that have been served the notice early this week include Tata Steel, Jusco, Tata Motors, IS&WP, Tinplate, Tata Power, Tata Bluescope Steel Limited, TRF Limited, Incab, Jemco and Lafarge.

"It is impossible for us to clean such a huge number of drains with the number of staff at our disposal. Companies discharging effluents that clog the drains near their operation areas must take the responsibility of cleaning them in the interest of common people," Sahay added.

JNAC has asked its four sanitary inspectors to monitor the cleaning operation to be undertaken by the private companies and submit a report by next week.

"We have divided the area under our command into six zones and four sanitary inspectors have been directed to monitor cleaning of drains. They have to submit a report by next week and if the corporate entities are found to have not complied with our order, a fresh reminder will be sent," Sahay said.

If that does not work, the civic body will take up the matter with East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal.

"As responsible corporate units, we expect them to clean the drains carrying their effluents and keep them free of any blockage. However, if they don't act on our reminders, we will be compelled to complain to the deputy commissioner," said JNAC special officer.

Jamshedpur (excluding Mango and Jugsalai) has around 29 big drains (having a depth of more than four feet) and nearly 120 small ones.

Of the 29 drains, 14 are maintained by the JNAC while the remaining 15 are the responsibility of private companies.