Jamshedpur: Perforated precast slabs over drains along many arteries, and gully gratings over sewers at road intersections have helped waterlogging do the vanishing act this monsoon in the steel city.

Perforated slabs and gully grates act as sieves, netting trash such as polythene bags, plastic packets, fallen twigs and leaves, so that only water enters drains. As a result, drains are not clogged.

Tata Steel civic utility wing Jusco introduced perforated slabs alongside drains running parallel to important arteries that had been widened recently, and linked road edges at intersections and roundabouts with gully grates this summer, ahead of monsoon.

Perforated slabs and gully gratings were introduced along Jusco command areas such as E Road (Bistupur General Office Road), Kharkai Link Road, Straight Mile Road, Baug E-Jamsheed roundabout (all in Bistupur); Straight Mile Road (the stretch from Agrico to Baridih) and Inner Circle Road (Kadma). This apart, MGM hospital roundabout (in Sakchi) has gully grating.

The results are visible. Last week, though the steel city saw rain in excess of 90mm, there was no waterlogging in the areas. Thursday's rain of 30mm also saw water flowing out of sight.

"We introduced perforated slabs drain covers and linked road shoulders (edges at intersections and roundabouts) with gully grating this year. The idea was to prevent plastic and solid wastes from entering drains and clogging them. These measures have helped a free flow of drain water and kept roads clean," said senior general manager (Jamshedpur town operation) Dhananjay Mishra.

Residents have heartily welcomed the step.

"The difference is really amazing, if we see the monsoon scenario before and after these perforated covers on drains," said Kamlesh Singh, a Tata Steel employee and a resident of Agrico. "Earlier, waterlogging was a problem in many city areas. For example, rainwater at Straight Mile Road near Agrico roundabout would stand for hours and recede slowly. This monsoon, rainwater drains out instantly," he said.

Mishra added that all the roads to be widened in the near future would have this drain pattern.

"We will introduce this system while revamping existing roads across the steel city as clogging of drains with solid waste during monsoon is a major civic problem everywhere," Mishra said.

A stretch of Kalimati Road from Kasidih to RD Tata Roundabout (Golmuri), infamous for waterlogging, will get this new drainage system soon.

Should all civic bodies install such sieves on drains? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com