Augmenting civic amenities
By: Mohammad Jalal-ud-Din
A large and huge conglomeration of population having multidimensional economic, social, academic, political etc, activities is a feature of town, district or city and a capital city has a preponderance and prominence over all.
Srinagar which is one of many places that have been called the “Venice of the East” or the “Kashmiri Venice” has remained the capital of Kashmir since a long past. With its distinctive caste, craft, climate and culture its history is an interesting read as a 5,000 years old civilisation.
Having been seat of power and government it has ever remained abuzz to witness different events. The multiplicity of kaleidoscopic types of interactions relating to human population to get to their destinations pressurises drains, sewerages and roads with each passing day calling attention for augmenting civic facilities, falling under the primary responsibility of Department of Public Health Engineering, especially in capital cities where every inch of space matters.
With the rapidly increasing vehicle population from a simple two tier air-borne bicycle to sophisticated fuel-propelled six axle motor vehicles and railways concurrent with pace of technological development the probability for chances of accidents on roads, choking of drainage and sewerage systems have become a norm of fear or immunity.
To a city drainage and sewage systems are what bowels are to a human body. Any shrinkage or shortage constipates the body. If the existing nallahs, streams, and flood spill channels passing across the city are cleared of dirt most of the unwanted water festering the locale will get diverted and damages averted.
Flood spill channels like Rambagh-Gangbugh-Bemina and flood spillways have also not been either maintained or de-silted to cater to the flood or storm water efficiently. The residue obtained thereof could be utilized for raising of embankments or filling material in roads and buildings.
Post flood of 9/2014 the work of dredging taken up in the river Jhelum Phase-1 costing Rs.399.29 crore out of the comprehensive plan of Rs.2,023 crore has not been completed rendering the hitherto expenditure somewhat less fructuous. Delayed completion will escalate the costs and deflate the benefits.
Un-scared of any barriers storm water which initially flows over ground takes a toll of valuables till it percolates gradually underground or reaches a regular drain. The choking of the drainage system has posed a threat of that extent.
Drainage system may be manmade or natural but sewage system is often artificial. Broadly speaking both the systems in the field of hydraulics deal with dewatering of rain and snow water from roof top pipes, lanes, roads (drainage), and foul water from kitchens, sinks, washrooms and toilets (sewage).
Underrating either of the systems troubles and submerges the area concerned. In Geomorphology rivers, lakes and streams form a pattern that make a natural basin for water. Srinagar too is encompassed with natural lakes like the Dal Lake, the Nigeen Lake, Khushaal Lake, Aanchar Lake and Gil Sar(lake) besides the River Jhelum which passes through it.
However, our drainage system is too defective and inadequate to allow its content to reach the natural basins sans causing a flood like situation after a drizzle. Drains and sewages occupy land space along ground or underground. This necessity affects the other of roads used 24×7 by humans, animal and vehicles.
We have three types of drains, viz, spun pipe drains, cement concrete roofed drains and open drains. At many places the open drains run alongside the roads thus squeezing the space for pedestal and the vehicular traffic such as Narwara, Kawadara and Rajouri Kadal.
The open drains or sewages anesthesiate passersby with obnoxious odor forcing them to press their nose if not shut eyes to fall a whole hog into gutters. Such drains, if left unattended to, shall continue to be a hangman’s noose for kids, weak, old and danger for loss or damage of property.
It would be appropriate to cover all drains properly either with concrete roofing or with fabricated iron trellis, grills or some other suitable alternative to facilitate safety of life and property that may make available additional space for traffic. This will further ensure smooth & quick flow of water for final discharge by making drains less vulnerable to early blockages due to fall of peripheral waste thrown by winds or negligent citizenry.
Drains being a part of civic life come up with human residencies. They flow alongside the roads- main, link or hinterland collectors to outfall in the main drain for end disposal. Srinagar also called the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir has grown into population of 1.5 million as on 1/2023 which necessitates augmentation and improvement of drains, sewages, inter-alia as requisites of civic life.
As per 2021 estimates and reports Srinagar has 650 kms of drains as against the requirement of 1650 kms thus falling short of 1000 kms of drains to cope up effectively with storm water and sewerages presently, and with no backup to face future challenges.
It was claimed in 2021) that 85 permanent and 35 temporary Mechanical Dewatering Stations besides gravity outfall channels are functional. According to data (3/2021) of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Srinagar city lacks on sewage front also as it generates 170 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage while having a capacity of treatment of 53 MLD only.
Given its highly skewed topography with hard, marshy, karewa, sandy and loose soil, an uneven slope -a peculiarity from others and similarity among almost all the valley-based ten districts, Srinagar sewerage and drainage systems metamorphosised into a strange network cob-webbing a unique job of planning, designing, executing, commissioning and maintenance thereof.
The Public Health Engineering Department-pioneer deptt, Srinagar Development Authority, Srinagar Smart City Limited, Urban Engineering and Environment Department, Irrigation & Flood Control Department, Srinagar Municipal Corporation are duty bound to work for providing a better drainage and the sewage systems relevant to the city contours taking the lowest gradient as the base.
The job is not too difficult as to fight a lost war in the era of modern technology and technical guidance. Only the will is to be yoked in a cooperative and coordinative mode to bring the engine of success in motion for people’s welfare.
General public too are legally and ethically bound thickly to ensure a clean system by not acting that tends to block the systems to the peril of all. As the drains or sewages get obstructed their backlash starts with the flow of filthy backwaters inundating the area to the nuisance of vicinity.
The systems shall work well if people know and owe their part of responsibility and don’t pollute these by logging in irrelevant material. Else it is no where feasible to lay incessantly more and more such systems due to peculiar characteristics of land being scarce.
Even villages are fast undergoing urbanization raising such demands thereto. Optimal use and careful handling is the only solution. Remember a glass handled with care does not break but a stone mishandled breaks. Should we allow drainage and the sewage systems to block and break or guard public ease?
(The author is a former Sr. Audit Officer and Consultant in the A.G’s Office Srinagar)
