Ghaziabad: Residents of Siddharth Vihar in Ghaziabad fear severe waterlogging and health hazards this monsoon due to the absence of a proper drainage system. Home to nearly one lakh people living across more than a dozen high-rises, the area off NH-9 remains vulnerable to flooding, mosquito breeding and the spread of water-borne diseases once the rains begin.“The absence of proper drains has led to water accumulation on the roads, making it difficult for people to travel, especially in emergencies,” said NK Negi, a resident of Prateek Grand City, Siddharth Vihar, Ghaziabad.Negi said that despite plans for a drainage system being in place, no construction has begun in front of the residential societies in the area. “This has left the community vulnerable, particularly as heavy rainfall is likely to worsen the situation,” said Negi.“In several areas, high-tension power lines run parallel to the road, which further complicates the situation during the monsoon,” said Kamal Kumar, another resident of the area, expressing frustration over the accumulation of water that not only damages the road surface but also increases the risk of accidents.In addition to health concerns, many local drains contain stagnant water, which attracts mosquitoes and other pests. “We have urged officials to prioritise the drain construction to mitigate the challenges posed by the upcoming monsoon and safeguard the well-being of the residents. But there seems to be little concern about the matter,” said Negi.Awas Vikas authority officials said that drainage work is being planned, with a focus on roadside drainage from SG Homes to Apex Kremlin and Prateek Grand City. However, residents remain sceptical due to the long-standing nature of the issue.
