Jalandhar bypass, low-lying areas get waterlogged after downpour in city

A spell of heavy rain on Sunday night caused widespread waterlogging in several parts of Ludhiana, with the Jalandhar bypass and other low-lying areas once again bearing the brunt of the city’s chronic drainage woes.

Morning commuters were met with flooded roads, overflowing drains and traffic snarl-ups as key stretches, including Jalandhar bypass, Sabji Mandi area and parts of the old city were partially submerged. The newly-developed vegetable market near Jalandhar bypass turned into a swampy mess, with vendors and buyers navigating through water. “It’s impossible to run business like this. We had asked for proper drainage, but nothing had been done,” said Raju, a vegetable vendor.

Residents in other areas also reported similar waterlogging, forcing pedestrians to wade through rainwater. The situation was worse near Buddha Nullah and adjoining colonies, where the water remained stagnant till late morning.

Despite repeated claims by the municipal corporation about pre-monsoon desilting drives, blocked drains and poor planning led to familiar scenes of chaos. “Every year, we face the same issue. The authorities clean the main drains but ignore branch lines. The water simply has nowhere to go,” said Manpreet Singh, a city resident.

The Ludhiana civic body has been facing criticism for not upgrading stormwater drainage system in rapidly urbanising areas, including the bypass stretch along NH-44. Urban planners have long emphasised the need for modern stormwater management, including rainwater harvesting, emergency pumps and green buffer zones.

Civic officials assured that emergency response teams hadbeen deployed and pump sets were being used to clear water in the affected areas. However, residents remain skeptical, citing repeated false promises and lack of long-term solutions.

With more rain forecast in the coming days, concerns are rising about further disruption and potential health hazards due to water stagnation and unhygienic conditions in densely populated neighborhoods.

Ludhiana