Srinagar, May 29: Despite a daylong lull in rains, many residential colonies and hospitals in the City continued to remain inundated for the second consecutive day Saturday while the government said measures have been started for dewatering.

INUNDATED COLONIES
 While some of the main roads like Lal Chowk and Residency Road were dewatered, the waters continued to rise in many residential colonies. The affected areas include Bemina, Eidgah, Natipora, Karan Nagar, Natipora, Batamaloo and Hyderpora.
 At places like Ibrahim Colony, Hyderpora, the water levels kept rising with locals accusing the City Drainage Division of failing to start the dewatering pumps in time.
  “We were totally disconnected from the rest of the City,” a resident said adding that he finally flashed a SOS to DDC Srinagar Meraj Ahmed Kakroo, who in turn directed for dewatering bringing some respite. The residents hailed the Power Development Department for braving to make repairs in the transmission network in the area despite heavy rains last night.
 Valley’s sole orthopedic hospital, the B&J Barzulla remained submerged in knee-deep waters with patients and other visitors facing severe inconvenience.

SAGAR TOURS SHAHR-E-KHAAS
 The Minister for Rural Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs  Ali Muhammad Sagar conducted a tour of various  parts of Shahr-e-Khaas in view of waterlogging.
 An official handout said he was accompanied by the senior officers of UEED and other departments.
 The areas visited included Fateh Kadal, Nalah Mar, Bachi Darwaza, Makdoom Sahab,Nowhatta, Khanyar, Baeb Deam, Dal Gate, Khyam.
 The Minister said a comprehensive drainage and full proof drainage system would be soon put in place, so that the people living in various low lying areas of the City do not face inconvenience in near future.
 The Minister said that Rs. 1 Cr. Babe Demb Project would soon be put in place, which  would cater to the areas of Fateh Kadal, Nalah Mar and other catchment areas and the problem of the people would be addressed to a large extent. He said that Brari-Numbal Project would also provide effective drainage system to the city areas. The Minister took stock of various ongoing development works and directed the officers to complete the same within the stipulated time period.

SOGAMI TOURS CIVIL LINES
 Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Nasir Sogami asked the UEED to remove all illegal encroachment over the drains in the City which “is the main hurdle in cleaning of the drains.”
 In an official handout, Sogami said, the encroachments were the main reason for water blocking.
 The minister gave these instructions while inspecting the civil line areas of the City affected due insistent rains.  The Minster was accompanied by team of officers of Flood Control, PDD, UEED SMC and PHE.
 He visited Aramwari Rajbagh, Sheikh Mohalla Rajbagh, Kursoo, Mehjoor Nagar, Channpora, Gulbagh colony, Hyderpora and interacted with the affected people.
 At Aramwari and Sheikh Bagh Rajbagh, the Minister gave on the spot instructions to the Chief Engineer Flood Control, Mir Najeeb Ullah to immediately provide sandy bags to these areas for the submerged lanes so that they get accessibility to the main roads.

GUL, SHAH TOUR CONSTITUENCIES
 Meanwhile, Chief Minister’s advisor Mubarak Gul and MLA Batamaloo,  Irfan Ahmad Shah visited several areas of their constituencies of Eidgah and Batamaloo. The areas they toured include Palapora, Goripora, Takanwari, Kreshabal, Bakshipora,Tengpora,Gundroshan, Pamposh Colony-Noorbagh and Waripora.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 May 2010 00:00:00 IST