Rain has Hoshiarpur inundated despite costly drainage plan
A downpour early this morning left Hoshiarpur and nearby areas severely waterlogged, exposing the shortcomings of an ambitious drainage project launched by the Municipal Corporation just a year ago.
The Rs 1.57 crore drainage scheme was initiated to resolve the long-standing problem of water accumulation near Shimla Pahari Chowk, located in the heart of the city. As part of the project, two inlets were constructed and a portion of the area near Shimla Hill was demolished to redirect rainwater into a large pit. From there, the water was supposed to be carried to Bhangi Chow via an underground pipeline along Mall Road, assisted by motor-driven pumps.
At the time of its inauguration, officials had assured the public that the work would be completed before the monsoon to prevent further flooding. However, today’s heavy rainfall rendered those claims hollow. Within a few hours, the area was inundated, and rainwater entered homes in surrounding streets, causing significant inconvenience and damage to residents.
Other major areas of the city, including Shimla Pahari Chowk, Clock Tower, Kotwali Bazaar, Committee Bazaar, Railway Road, Kacha Tobha, and Red Road, were also flooded, severely disrupting daily life.
The rain brought an overwhelming volume of water into the choes, creating a flood-like situation. A large crowd gathered to witness the heavy flow in the Bhangi choe, leading to traffic jams on the bridge and hours-long delays for commuters.
The rain also forced city markets to shut down, leaving business activities stalled.
However, farmers welcomed the downpour, calling it a much-needed relief. With paddy sowing in full swing, they had been struggling to irrigate their fields by purchasing costly diesel for water pumps amid a prolonged dry spell and scorching heat. They believe that this rain will not only reduce their dependency on artificial irrigation but also boost the yield of paddy, maize, vegetables, and green fodder.
Some farmers reported damage to paddy crops in low-lying areas due to waterlogging. Despite this, the overall sentiment remained optimistic, with many viewing the rain as a boon for agriculture in the region.
Waterlogging in the inner areas of Hoshiarpur’s old city brought traffic to a standstill, especially on the Hoshiarpur–Una road, which remained blocked for several hours.
A strong flow of water through the choes crossing the road at two key points — near Radha Swami Satsang Ghar and Swami Sarvanand Giri Punjab University Regional Centre, Bajwara — left vehicles stranded on both sides for hours. Similarly, causeways over the Bhangi Choe near Dhobighat, Kesho Mandir, and Mahavir Setu were submerged under several feet of fast-flowing water.
As a result, commuters were forced to take longer detours via Mahavir Setu.
Local MLA Bram Shankar Jimpa visited the flood-affected areas on Saturday, inspecting water levels near Swami Sarvanand Giri Regional Centre, Radha Swami Satsang Ghar, and the Bhangi Choe.
The authorities issued public warnings advising people not to cross the swollen choes. The police and Civil Defence volunteers were deployed across the affected areas to monitor the situation and ensure public safety.
Jalandhar