MC Commissioner takes over reins, prepares Karnal city for monsoon

With monsoon approaching, Karnal Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dr Vaishali Sharma took stock of the city’s preparedness on Tuesday through a comprehensive field inspection of rainwater drains. The move aims to prevent waterlogging during heavy rains — a persistent issue during the season.

Accompanied by officials from the Engineering Wing, Dr Sharma spent nearly three hours reviewing key drainage points across Karnal. Her inspection began in the Ram Nagar area, where she examined the drain leading to the Meera Ghati disposal site. Although the drain had been cleaned earlier, she ordered another round of cleaning to ensure uninterrupted water flow during rainfall.

She continued her visit in Prem Nagar, where she inspected both the disposal pump and the adjacent drain. On-site, she checked the functionality of motors and generators to ensure they were ready for emergencies.

During the inspection in Ram Nagar, Dr Sharma caught a dairy operator red-handed, illegally dumping cow dung into a drain. Promptly taking action, she ordered a Rs 5,000 challan and warned that if the operator did not relocate the dairy to the designated site in Pingli, the establishment would be sealed.

The Commissioner then walked along the drain beneath the railway flyover from Rajiv Puram to Bhagwaria Gas Agency, where she directed agency representatives to clear the overgrown grass and remove construction debris. She later inspected multiple other locations, including the drains from Hansi Road to Ghoghripur flyover, near the Shiv Colony underpass, around the Sant Guru Ravidas Temple and along Gaushala Road.

“Engineering wing officials have been instructed to finish all drain cleaning work without delay,” Dr Sharma said. She further directed that all disposal pumps be fully functional, silt be removed immediately after cleaning and open manholes or broken slabs be promptly repaired.

She emphasised that diesel pumps and essential equipment must be pre-positioned in flood-prone zones before the rains arrive, to ensure swift drainage during emergencies.

Haryana Tribune