Patna: As dark monsoon clouds gather over Patna, the city finds itself caught between reassuring official claims and the everyday experiences of residents. Civic agencies insist they have strengthened flood control systems, repaired drains and expanded pumping capacity, but unfinished road excavations, open manholes and recurring waterlogging continue to leave many questioning whether the city is truly ready for the rain.The contrast is visible in several neighbourhoods, where freshly dug roads, exposed utility work and inadequate barricading continue to inconvenience commuters despite the June 15 deadline for completing pre-monsoon restoration. While the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (Buidco) say they have completed extensive preparations, residents argue the city’s vulnerabilities remain far from resolved.On paper, however, Patna appears better equipped than in previous years. Buidco has operationalised 91 drainage pumping stations, including 56 permanent and 35 temporary facilities, with 369 pumps capable of discharging 1,71,823 litres of water every second. According to the agency, pumping capacity has increased by 28% since 2019 with the installation of 185 additional pump sets.PMC has deployed 19 quick response teams, appointed 75 ward-level nodal officers and positioned 252 dewatering pumps across the city. A 24×7 control room has also been established, while major pumping stations are being digitally monitored through Patna Smart City.Ahead of the monsoon, PMC desilted nearly 565km of drains, cleaned 53,606 manholes and 41,594 catchpits, and identified 83 sensitive locations vulnerable to waterlogging for continuous monitoring with dedicated pumps and emergency response teams. Among the vulnerable areas are Karbigahiya, FCI Area, RK Nagar, May Flower Colony, Gandhi Maidan Gate No. 3 and Sonalika Nagar, Paijawa Nagar and Samvidhan Nagar along the Badshahi drain, where heavy rainfall frequently leads to flooding.The civic body has also repaired about 41km of roads and imposed a ban on fresh road cutting from July 1 until the end of the monsoon, except for emergency works. However, road restoration remains incomplete. Of the 186 roads identified for pre-monsoon repairs, work has been completed on 120, while 15 remain under execution. Another 51 projects have been deferred until after the monsoon because of contractor delays, utility shifting, shortage of funds and weather conditions.The manhole ambulance has also been activated by the PMC for this season. It is equipped with tools, materials and skilled personnel are kept on standby.For many residents, however, the official figures tell only part of the story.A shopkeeper near Police Lines said a recently restored road outside the shop was dug up again more than a week ago for pipeline work and has since been left with a large open pit without barricading or safety measures.Ashish Kumar, a resident of Anandpuri, said even brief spells of rain leave roads in the locality submerged for days. “The roads have always been uneven, and silt accumulates everywhere. We have complained several times, but because the area is in the interior, no one pays attention,” he said.In Rajiv Nagar, resident Nandkishor Mahato said several agencies had been carrying out work for months without keeping residents informed. “We don’t know which department is digging the roads or whom to approach when problems arise. There are no signboards at many sites, and taxpayers are left running from one office to another,” he said.PMC commissioner Yashpal Meena said drains had already been desilted three times before the onset of the monsoon and inspections would continue throughout the rainy season. “PMC has digital data of all its assets, including drains, manholes and catchpits, and constant monitoring will ensure no area goes unnoticed,” he said.Meena added inter-departmental coordination meetings were being held regularly, construction agencies had been directed to install proper barricades and signage at all work sites, and action was being taken wherever safety norms were violated. He said the number of waterlogging hotspots had been reduced by nearly 60% compared with last year and he had personally inspected all 75 wards with the respective councillors to ensure ward-specific works were completed before the rain.Buidco MD Animesh Kumar Parashar said, “All projects under Namami Gange were stopped at the end of May and roads were handed over to the road construction department in June for repair. Almost all roads have been repaired except a small stretch in Kankarbagh. Buidco is monitoring all the work closely and the monsoon preparation this year happened in a very timely manner.”GAIL general manager A K Sinha said the project would continue during the monsoon but maintained every excavation was completed and restored within three to four days. “Our current work schedule ensures it will not pose any major disruption during the rainy season,” he said.
