Stormwater drains in Madikeri need facelift

The stormwater drains (Rajakaluve) in the town have not been receiving attention and as a result have become a source of various problems for citizens.

The canal stinks in summer and is in spate in the monsoon. The rainwater in the drains mixes with sewage and gushes into houses, creating havoc and other problems in residential areas. In the recent rain, it had taken two weeks before the flood water began receding.

People residing near the stormwater drains have been under threat of attack of vector-borne diseases. Silt had choked the canals and the connecting drains.

The exists on the Kohinoor and Race Course roads.

The CMC claims to have spent lakhs of rupees on desilting the stormwater drain, but solid waste dumped into the drains by hoteliers and shopkeepers has added to the problem.

Waste water from houses, hotels and lodges released into the canal goes downstream to Abbey Falls and then to the Harangi reservoir.

The project on building an underground drainage system was launched five years ago, but not completed. The unscientific drain work has ended up damaging roads, said citizens.

Race Course Road resident Parvathi said, the drain works had come to a standstill in Madikeri. Officials concerned should take immediate steps to clean the canal, she urged.